The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ekom Ayambem, has been impeached.
News About Nigeria reports that 17 members of the House impeached the lawmaker during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The impeachment motion was moved by Effiom Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1 Constituency, and seconded by Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra State Constituency.
Ayambem’s impeachment is linked to allegations of misappropriation of funds, which have been a subject of controversy in the House.
The former Speaker, who represents Ikom 2 State Constituency, was elected unchallenged in June 2023, following the proclamation of the state governor for the inauguration of the 10th state assembly.
He succeeded Eteng William, who was elected to the 10th Nigerian Senate.
This development comes just a year after Ayambem was expelled from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in June 2023, alongside 566 other students, due to poor Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
The university’s management had published the list of withdrawn students, affecting 15 faculties and departments across 100 to 400 levels.
The lawmaker was among the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who won the state legislative elections in Cross River.
The APC won all nine seats in the Southern District, seven out of the available eight seats in Central District and three in Cross River North.
The APC was victorious in Abi, Akamkpa I and II, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Biase, Boki I and II, Calabar Municipality and Calabar South I and II state constituencies.
Other areas won by the APC were Etung, Ikom II, Obubra I and II, Obudu, Odukpani and Yakurr I and II constituencies.
Meanwhile, the PDP won seats in Ikom I, Ogoja, Yala II, Obanliku and Bekwarra, while the LP secured victory in Yala I State Constituency.
