Cross River State House of Assembly sacks Speaker

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Anyambem has been sacked while presiding over the house on Wednesday over alleged gross misconduct and high-handedness, as well as misappropriation of N19.4 million being deductions from the local government councils.

Penpushing reports that Anyambem removal followed a motion moved by the member representing Calabar South 1, Effiong Ekarika, which was seconded by Hon Charles Omang, representing Bekwara constituency.

The members following the motion members thereafter unanimously supported it, and while moving the motion Ekarika alleged  that the embattled Speaker had grossly indulged in administrative misconduct, high-handedness and financial misappropriation.

Penpushing further reports that in the notice, Anyambem was said to have indulged in arbitrary expenditure, contrary to Section 9(1) of the state Legislative Funds Management Law, 2021, emphasizing that he misappropriated N48 million meant for the payment of the assembly’s electricity bills.

The sacked Speaker was equally accused of misappropriating N404.6 million representing two per cent of the monthly revenue collected by the state Internal Revenue Service and meant for oversight functions of the assembly.

“The speaker misappropriated the sum of N19.4 million being deductions from the local government councils which he willfully failed to disclose to members,” the notice read in parts.

Penpushing also reports that that 17 out of 25 members of the assembly signed the notice for the speaker’s impeachment, and after the removal, the mace was taken away by the members, while as at the time of filing this report Anyambem could not be reach for reactions

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