The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has been impeached over an allegation of financial misappropriation.
The impeachment, which resulted in a free-for-all 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 motion for Ayambem’s impeachment was moved by Hon. Effiom Ekarika (Calabar South I constituency), and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang (Bekwarra).
It was gathered that as of Tuesday, over 20 out of the 25 members of the Assembly had signed up for his impeachment.
It was further learnt that after the impeachment, one of the lawmakers made a dash for the mace and refused to let go, leading to the brawl in the hallowed chambers before the members of the Assembly went away with the mace.
Ayambem, who represents the Ikom II state constituency, was elected Speaker in June 2023. However, a majority of the lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in the former Speaker, leading to the impeachment process.
In the impeachment notice, the lawmakers accused Ayambem of misappropriating N48 million, which was meant for offsetting the electricity bill of the Assembly complex and lawmakers’ quarters.
Ayambem was alleged of misappropriating two per cent of all revenue collected by the state’s Internal Revenue Service, monthly totalling N404 million.
Other infractions mentioned in the impeachment notice included “misappropriation of the sum of N19,437,844.00 from local government deduction and 11 months deductions which he allegedly failed to disclose to members.
“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″.
The impeachment notice was signed by Hons. Kingsley Ntui, Okon Owuna, Samuel Neji Abang, Cyril James Omini, Stanley Nsemo, Charles Omang Omang, 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.
Earlier, officials of the Department of the State Services (DSS), the Dragon Squad, and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force had taken over the Assembly complex following Anyambem’s impeachment.
