Cross River Assembly Suspends Four Councillors Over Alleged Misconduct
The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) has taken decisive action by suspending four councillors from the Akpabuyo Legislative Council for a period of 90 days. This suspension stems from serious allegations of gross misconduct that have disrupted the council's operations and integrity.
Details of the Suspension and Accusations
The affected councillors are Innocent Mbukpa, Patrick Eyo Etim, Bassey Effiom Edet, and Tete Oyoyo Ubene. Their suspension was initiated after the House reviewed a formal petition submitted by two fellow councillors, Emmanuel Archibong and Bassey Ekpo. The petition accused the suspended members of engaging in persistent harassment, intimidation, and aggressive behavior, which has created a hostile environment within the council.
During a plenary session, the Deputy Leader of the House, Davies Etta, who represents Abi State Constituency, presented the petition. He detailed that the accused councillors were allegedly involved in acts of molestation and intimidation. Furthermore, the petition claimed that they utilized suspected cult groups to threaten the leadership of the Akpabuyo Legislative Council, escalating tensions and undermining lawful governance.
Incident of Violence and Property Damage
The allegations took a more severe turn with reports of a physical altercation on March 23, 2026. According to the petition, the suspended councillors attacked the Leader of the Legislature, Ekpo Bassey Ekpo, along with other council staff. This incident resulted in injuries to individuals and significant damage to council property, highlighting the escalation of conflicts beyond verbal disputes.
Lawmakers' Responses and Condemnation
In response to these developments, the Leader of the House, Francis Asuquo, strongly criticized the councillors' approach to addressing grievances. He emphasized that due process must always be followed in resolving disputes, condemning any resort to violence. Asuquo stressed that public office holders, including councillors, have a responsibility to operate within the legal framework and uphold the rule of law.
Other lawmakers joined in expressing their disapproval, decrying the alleged misconduct and urging all political actors to embrace dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms. They highlighted the importance of maintaining decorum and professionalism in public service to ensure effective governance and public trust.
Investigation and Legal Basis for Suspension
The House has resolved that the four councillors will remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. This investigation will be conducted by the Assembly's Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution. The lawmakers cited Section 14(3) of the Local Government Law, which grants the Assembly the authority to suspend elected or appointed local government officials facing allegations of misconduct. This legal provision allows for a proper and impartial investigation to be carried out without interference.
The suspension aims to ensure that the inquiry proceeds smoothly and that any findings are based on thorough examination of the facts. The Cross River State House of Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to upholding ethical standards and accountability in local governance, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct among public officials.
