Group asks court to nullify reinstatement of Cross River Speaker

A group, Youth Action Network, has asked the Cross River State High Court to nullify the reinstatement of Elvert Ayambem as Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly by Governor Bassey Otu.

They want the court to order the Clerk of the Assembly to begin processes for election of a new Speaker or formally re-elect Ayambem as Speaker immediately.

On 22 May 2024, Ayambem was removed by 17 of the 25 members over allegations of financial misappropriation after a vote of no confidence was passed on him.
However, the state governor, Otu, intervened the members reinstated him.

Last week, a high court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Abua granted the prayers of a citizen, Raymond Manga Esq, and ruled that Ayambem was validly removed.

In the originating summons of the suit numbered HC/166/2024, filed by its Director General, Joseph Odey against Cross River State governor and other government officials, the group insisted that Ayambem was not validly reinstated as Speaker after his impeachment and is therefore holding the position illegally.

Odey, an All Progressives Congress, APC, member, said the group wants the court to restrain the governor and other government officials from recognizing or relating with Ayambem as Speaker pending when the motion is heard.

The organization also asked the court to restrain Ayambem from parading himself as Speaker pending when the motion is heard.

The group equally asked the court to invalidate all activities of the House of Assembly presided over by Ayanbem since his impeachment.

The originating summon was brought pursuant to Order 19 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2023.

The court was also asked to declare that Elvert Ayambem remains removed or impeached as Speaker of the Assembly.