Serious Fight Breaks Out As Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Elvert Ayambem [Video]

Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly got into a serious fight on Wednesday after impeaching Speaker Elvert Ayambem.

Chaos erupted at the end of the session when one lawmaker grabbed the mace, the symbol of the Speaker’s authority, and refused to let go.

This led to a struggle and a brawl in the chamber on Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2024.

The session ended with 17 out of 25 members voting to impeach Ayambem for alleged financial misappropriation.

The impeachment motion was introduced by Hon. Effiom Ekarika from Calabar South 1 Constituency and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang from Bekwarra State Constituency.

According to the impeachment notice , the lawmakers accused Ayambem of misappropriating N48 million meant for electricity bills of the assembly complex and quarters.

They also alleged he misappropriated N404 million from revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and N19,437,844 from Local Government deductions, which he allegedly failed to disclose to members.

The notice also cited incompetence and improper conduct during plenary sessions, non-compliance with the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021, and unauthorized approval of expenditures.

The lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice included Kingsley Ntui, Okon Owuna, Samuel Neji Abang, Cyril James Omini, Stanley Nsemo, Charles Omang Omang.

Others included Thomas Aruku, Eyo Bassey, Bassey Bassey Effiong, Francis Onete Ogban, Victor Nsa, Ovat Agbor, Pius Ashas Ashakia, Martins Achadu, Effiong Ekarika, Egbe Abeng Egbe, and Hilary Bisong.

Watch the video below:

Fight Erupts As Cross River Lawmakers Sack Speaker#ChannelsTVNews pic.twitter.com/IcVDsClFDL

— Channels Television (@channelstv) May 22, 2024

KanyiDaily had also reported how the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Abok Ayuba was impeached as lawmakers fight over mace.