Fight erupts as Cross River Assembly impeaches speaker Elvert Ayambem

The speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ekom Ayambem has been impeached. 

He was impeached on Wednesday, May 22, by 17 members out of the 25-member House over allegations of misappropriation of funds.

The majority of the lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote on the Rt. Hon. Ayambem, about 11 months in office. The impeachment motion was moved by Hon. Effiom Ekarika representing Calabar South 1 Constituency and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang representing Bekwarra State Constituency. Ayambem represents Ikom 2 State Constituency in the Houses of Assembly.

The lawmakers alleged that the impeached speaker misappropriated N48 million meant for the payment of electricity bills for the assembly complex and quarters. They also alleged that Ayambem misappropriated 2 percent of all revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monthly to the tune of N404 million.

“Misappropriation of the sum of N19,437, 844.00 (Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and forty-five Naira) from Local Government deduction and 11 months deductions which he allegedly failed to disclose to members,” the impeachment notice reads. 

Incompetence and wrong conduct of plenary proceedings: Un-parliamentary way of conducting proceedings.

Appointment of members to move or second motions rather than allowing interested members to raise their hands. Non-compliance with the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.

Arbitrary approval of expenditure in flagrant breach of the provisions of Section 9(1) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.

Approvals beyond the limit which the Speaker can approve contrary to Section 9(10) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.”

Among the lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice were Kingsley Ntui, Okon Owuna, Samuel Neji Abang, Cyril James Omini, Stanley Nsemo, and Charles Omang Omang. Others included Thomas Aruku, Eyo Bassey, Bassey Bassey Effiong, Francis Onete Ogban, Victor Nsa, Ovat Agbor, Pius Ashas Ashakia, Martins Achadu, Effiong Ekarika, Egbe Abeng Egbe, and Hilary Bisong.

His impeachment resulted in a fight in the chambers as the legislator with the mace refused to let go, leading to a struggle and a brawl in the chamber.

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