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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has been impeached.
Ayambem was impeached during Wednesday’s plenary over allegations bordering on financial misappropriation and incompetence.
In the impeachment notice, the lawmakers alleged that Ayambem misappropriated N48 million meant for the payment of electricity bills of the assembly complex and quarters.
The lawmakers also alleged that the speaker misappropriated two per cent of all monthly revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to the tune of N404 million.
It was gathered that the impeachment notice was signed by 17 out of 25 members of the assembly.
The motion for the impeachment was moved by the lawmaker representing Calabar South 1 Constituency, Effiong Ekarika, and seconded by Omang Charles of Bekwarra Constituency.
A rowdy session ensued after Ayambem was impeached.
One of the lawmakers made a dash for the mace, which is the symbol of authority of the assembly.
However, the legislator with the mace refused to let go, resulting in a struggle, a brawl and cacophony of sounds in the chamber.