The Cross River State House of Assembly on Tuesday removed the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Emmanuel Yakubu, in Calabar over allegations of gross misconduct after a legislative process that included suspension, investigation and voting by lawmakers.
The decision followed a voice vote during plenary where 19 members supported his removal, one lawmaker abstained and five members were absent.
The development was made public in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker.
Before his removal, the Assembly had earlier suspended Yakubu for 90 days to allow a formal investigation into allegations against him. The suspension was based on provisions of the Cross River State Local Government Law.
During this period, the Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution conducted hearings to examine the claims.
The committee invited key officials of the council, including the Leader of Council, ward councillors and a representative of the Head of Local Government Administration.
They appeared before the panel and gave their accounts. Yakubu did not attend the hearing. He reportedly wrote to request a new date, citing health reasons.
However, lawmakers were informed that he was seen at a political rally around the same period where he announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress.
The committee concluded that his actions showed a lack of commitment to the office he occupied. It also found that his defection from the party under which he was elected and his alleged poor working relationship with the council chairman and legislative council went against the provisions of the state’s local government law.
Based on the findings, the Assembly resolved to remove him from office. The Deputy Speaker, who presided over the sitting, directed Yakubu to hand over all government property in his possession to the most senior civil servant in the council.
The Assembly stated that the action followed due process as laid down by law.
It maintained that the removal was in line with its responsibility to ensure discipline and proper conduct in the administration of Ogoja Local Government Council.