Anti-corruption Group Alleges Suspended Benue Commissioner Working for Akume

The Benue Anti-Corruption Watch (BACW), a socio-political organisation, has accused the suspended Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Bemsen Mnyim, of working with the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to undermine Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. 

Specifically, BACW alleged that Akume, a former governor of the state, who nominated the suspended commissioner for Governor Alia last year, was the one who allegedly encouraged Mnyim to join in the suit filed before the Supreme Court by some state governors praying for an order to scrap the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

In a statement signed by its President, Mr John Tion, the anti-corruption watch group maintained that Mnyim was allegedly instructed by Akume to join in the lawsuit aimed at scrapping the anti-graft agencies, contrary to President Bola Tinubu’s policy.

Tion expressed concern that Mnyim’s actions were orchestrated to create tension between Governor Alia and President Tinubu, similar to the crisis Akume allegedly instigated between former Governor Samuel Ortom and former President Muhammadu Buhari during his tenure as Minister of Special Duties.

The group wondered why a state commissioner for justice would join a suit which was instituted by some governors to scrap the Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies without informing his principal or without the authorization of his principal, Governor Alia.

The group questioned Mnyim’s decision to join the lawsuit without Governor Alia’s knowledge or authorization, saying it was clear that his loyalty lies with Akume rather than the governor.

According to the statement, “In our investigation, we discovered that Barrister Mnyim has been using his position to support Garnishee Orders against the state government. 

“Why will the governor want to reinstate a man who has turned his state to a Garnishee state within a year and a half?”

The group said Mnyim’s action clearly showed that he was working for the SGF to make the governor look as if he is attacking the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government under President Tinubu.

BACW applauded Governor Alia for suspending Mnyim and urged him to find a replacement immediately, even as it called for the state Attorney-General’s immediate prosecution, citing alleged fraudulent acts during his tenure as Attorney General.

The statement further read: “The suspended commissioner has been accused of poor arrangement of lawyers to defend the state government when it comes to the issue of Garnishee. 

“He has also not been attending to state issues as required, and perhaps that was why he joined those governors to institute that case for the scrapping of the EFCC and ICPC. It’s now clear that he has things to hide from the anti-graft agencies hence his joinder in the suit to scrap them.”

The group advised other state governors to collaborate with Nigerian anti-graft agencies to combat corruption.