Elvert Ayambem, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, has been impeached.
Ayambem was impeached in plenary on Wednesday amid allegations of financial embezzlement and incompetence.
Effiong Ekarika, a member representing Calabar South 1, moved the impeachment resolution, which was backed by Omang Charles of the Bekwarra district.
A boisterous session erupted following Ayambem’s impeachment.
One of the lawmakers dashed for the mace, the speaker’s symbol of authority.
However, the lawmaker with the mace refused to let go, sparking a scuffle, fisticuffs, and riot in the chamber.
In the impeachment notice, the members claimed that Ayambem misused N48 million intended for the payment of power bills for the assembly facility and quarters.
The parliamentarians also claimed that the impeached speaker misused N404 million, or 2% of the total money collected monthly by the Internal Money Service (IRS).
The impeachment notice reads:
“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.”
“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.”
In June 2023, Ayambem, who represents Ikom 2, was chosen as speaker of the 10th assembly.
