The Cross River State House of Assembly has taken decisive action by suspending the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Theresa Akwaji Ushie, for three months. This development follows a petition submitted by members of the Bekwarra Legislative Council, who accused Ushie of abuse of office and financial misappropriation.
According to a statement released by Matthew Okache, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, the suspension was approved during a plenary session held on Tuesday in Calabar. The Assembly cited Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law as the legal basis for its decision.
“In a resolution passed on the floor of the House, the Assembly directed that Hon. Theresa Ushie step aside for 90 days to allow for an independent investigation into the allegations without interference,” the statement read.
The Assembly’s resolution was based on an impeachment notice endorsed by eight out of ten councilors from the Bekwarra Legislative Council. The petition, dated May 19, 2025, accused Ushie of “financial misappropriation, administrative highhandedness, and gross abuse of power,” further alleging that she had “consistently undermined due process and the rule of law in the discharge of her duties.”
In the interim, the Vice Chairman of Bekwarra LG, Egbung Odama, has been instructed to assume the role of Acting Chairman. His mandate is to ensure the council’s stability and effective administration during the suspension period.
Speaker Elvert Ayambem emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability at the grassroots level. “I charge the House committees on Judiciary and public petition to commence a thorough investigation into the allegations and report their findings within the suspension window,” he stated.
Efforts to reach the suspended chairman, Theresa Ushie, were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or text messages at the time of this report.
