By Asuquo Cletus Felix.
The Cross River State Assembly, has impeached its speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, over alleged financial misappropriation, imcompetence and wrong conduct of plenary proceedings, amongst others.
In an impeachment notice, obtained by our correspondent, Elvert, was impeached by a two third majority, during a plenary.
Our correspondent also gathered that the impeachment motion was moved by Effiom Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1 Constituency, and seconded by Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra State Constituency.
Elvert was accused of misappropriating 48 Million Naira meant to pay nepa bills for the house of assembly complex, as well as the house of assembly quarters.
The speaker is also alleged to have misappropriated two percent of all revenue, received by the internal revenue service, amounting to a total of four hundred and four million, six hundred and eighty three thousand and fifty naira.
He is also alleged of gross misconduct, bordering on high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves.
The notice reads
“We bring this all important Motion under matters of urgent public importance inline with Order 24 of the Rules of the Cross River State House of Assembly and pursuant to Section 92(2)(C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered.
“Having met the Constitutional requirements of two-third majority, we the under-listed members of the Cross River State House of Assembly hereby pass a vote- of-no- confidence on Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the House of Assembly and he is hereby REMOVED,” the part of the impeachment notice read.
“Hon. Ayambem is also accused of misappropriation of the sum of N48,000,000.00 (Forty-Eight MillionNaira) meant to pay Nepa bills for the House of Assembly complex and the House of Assembly Quarters.
“Misappropriation of 2% of all revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monthly for oversight functions of the House of Assembly in line with Section 18(a)(i) of the Cross River State Revenue Administration Law 2011 as amended to the tune of N404,683,855.10 (Four Hundred and Four Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-ThreeThousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira, Ten Kobo).
“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.”.
Ayambem represents Ikom 2 State Constituency and was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.
