APC rejects Banire's offer to resign

The ruling party, the All Progressive Congress[APC],has rejected the offer by its National legal adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire[SAN], to step aside from his post pending the conclusion of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC],on an alleged N500,000 bribe to a judge. Banire had in a letter dated November 8, 2016 which he wrote to the APC National Executive Committee through the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and copied to President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, saying he was stepping down, pending the outcome of the EFCC investigation.

The anti graft agency had on November 3, 2016, questioned Banire in relation to a sum of N500,000 he paid at a time into the account of Justice J.T Agbadu Fishim of the National Industrial Court.

In its reply to Banire, the National working committee of the APC in a letter dated December 1 and signed by its Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, stated that the national working committee of the party[NWC], received and deliberated on your letter referred above dated 8th November, 2016, and resolved that your voluntary submission for investigation by the EFCC and subsequent offer to step down from your position as National Legal Adviser to the party. The NWC is proud of your conduct in this respect, however, we rejected your offer step down. We will be following your investigation with keen interest and we hope that in the end you will be vindicated.