Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker Over Allegations of Financial Misappropriation

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has on Wednesday, 22nd of May, 2024 been impeached over allegations of financial misappropriation.The impeachment of Ayambem, which resulted in a scuffle in the hallowed chambers of the House over the mace, the symbol of authority of the House, brought to an abrupt end Wednesday’s sitting, as 17 out of the 25-member Assembly impeached the former Speaker.The resultant free-for-all had to be dispersed by members of Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Security.The motion for Ayambem’s impeachment was moved by Effiom Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1 state constituency, and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra state constituency According to the Punch as of Tuesday, over 20 out of the 25 members of the Assembly had signed up for his impeachment.Among other allegations, the impeached lawmaker was accused of: “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.Meanwhile, Ayanbem has declared the process of his impeachment null and void. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache, he revealed that:“The House of Assembly is not aware of any impeachment notices being served to anyone before the frivolous act as witnessed at the chambers. The alleged impeachment and replacement are speculative, and the general public is urged to disregard fake news and dismiss any notion of a crisis. The status quo is that Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem is the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”