The Cross River State House of Assembly has removed the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Emmanuel Yakubu, following allegations of gross misconduct.
Nineteen members voted for Yakubu’s removal, five members were absent, and one member abstained from voting because he was the presiding officer.
The assembly directed Yakubu to hand over all government property in his custody to the most senior civil servant in the council.
Yakubu was recently spotted at a political rally where he publicly defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Before voting, the House had deliberated on the report of its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution presented by the Chairman, Davies Etta.
In the report, Etta recalled the impeachment notice earlier issued against Yakubu by the Ogoja Legislative Council on allegations of gross misconduct including abandonment of duty, disregard for constituted authority and rules of engagement, breach of oath of secrecy and lack of working synergy with the chairman amongst others.
Etta further recalled that, after deliberating on the matter and relying on Section 14 (3) of the Local Government Law, the House in Resolution No 031 agreed that Yakubu be suspended for 90 days to allow for an investigation by its committee.
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According to Etta, his committee held an investigative hearing where the Leader of council, Elizabeth Mbim, other councillors and the director of general services and administration representing the head of local government administration were all present and gave testimonies.
Etta stated that his committee found out that, Yakubu was “no longer interested in his office by leaving the party that brought him into office as vice chairman to join another party.”
His actions according to Eta, justify the fact that he no longer takes instructions from his superior, adding that “this is purely an infraction of Section 20(1) of the state Local Government Law, 2007, (as amended).
He said that the Yakubu’s behaviour is a total disregard for constitutional authority, thus constitutes gross misconduct.
Members of the House who contributed to the debate, observed that the vice chairman’s actions were inimical to the progresss of Ogoja Local Government Council.
