Police cordon off C’River Assembly complex after Speaker’s alleged impeachment
The Cross River State Police Command on Thursday has cordoned off the State House of Assembly complex.
This was a sequel to the plot on Wednesday by 17 members of the 25-man assembly to remove the Speaker, Elvert Anyambem over allegations bordering on financial malfeasance.
Confirming the development to The PUNCH, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo said the decision to cordon off the Assembly complex by the police was to prevent the breakdown of law and order across the state.
Recall that 17 members of the Assembly on Wednesday purportedly removed the Speaker over sundry allegations, but the Speaker, through his Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache, insisted that he remains the Speaker as there’s no vacancy in the office.
Although the 17 lawmakers, as at the time of filing this report have not named a replacement for the allegedly impeached Anyambem, because, according to them, they are waiting for the governor of the state, Bassey Otu.
Ayambem was reportedly impeached in the early hours of Wednesday by his colleagues over “alleged gross misconduct and administrative high handedness,” while the mace, being the symbol of authority of the House, was taken away after the impeachment degenerated into a fracas, leading to a free-for-all in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly.
We athered that over 20 members of the Assembly reportedly signed up for Anyambem’s impeachment; just as it was gathered that members of the House are presently meeting outside the Assembly to elect a new Speaker.
