NGO lauds Benue gov for disowning anti-EFCC suit

A non-governmental organisation, Vanguard for Credible Representation, has commended the Benue State Governor, Revd Fr Hyacinth Alia and the state government for distancing themselves from the suit filed by the Kogi State government and 14 other states against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Kogi State government and 15 others filed a suit at the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit and other federal agencies.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, three states, namely Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi states, withdrew from the controversial suit.

On Wednesday, Alia suspended the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bemsen Mnyim, for acting “unilaterally” in joining the suit “without the approval of his principal.”

The latest development came on the heels of the declaration on Tuesday by the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, that the state was neither aware nor part of the suit challenging the legality of the EFCC.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by VCR’s Head of Mission, Onche Ugbabe, the group said it was “heartwarming that some state governors were dissociating themselves from the suit and lending their support to the fight against corruption.”

The statement reads: “It is heartwarming that Governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal have publicly dissociated themselves from the suspicious move orchestrated by some state governments.

“We also commend the governments of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi states for heeding the voice of reason and withdrawing from the suit.”

The group hailed erudite lawyers like Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Kayode Oladele for faulting the suit and its backers.

“It is highly gratifying that erudite lawyers like Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Hon Kayode Oladele have publicly condemned the unpopular move, citing a plethora of judicial decisions of the Supreme Court on the legality of the anti-corruption agencies.

“It is in the light of this that all well-meaning individuals and institutions should lend their support to the war against corruption and not seek to thwart it by any scheme or schism,” the group said.

The renewed onslaught against the EFCC is not unconnected with its bold move to investigate and prosecute some highly placed politically exposed persons like the former Kogi State governor, Mr Yahaya Bello and others.

Kogi State initiated the pending case at the Supreme Court before being joined by about 14 other states.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the matter and adjourned for judgment till a date to be communicated to the parties.