C'River: Yala LG Council Chairman Impeached Over Alleged Financial Misappropriation
Samuel AGBOR
Barely two months after Bekwarra council chairman was suspended from office, the Yala local lovernment Chairman in Cross River, Dr. Fred Okem, has been impeached for an alleged financial missapropriation.
Okem was on Tuesday impeached by the council lawmakers that make up the area.
The 11 points impeachment notice was signed by 12 of the 14 lawmakers, based Okem's impeachment on the state local government Law No. 2 (2007) section 3, subsection 3a-d.
The chairman was also accused of gross misconduct in carrying out his functions as the council boss.
According to the notice of impeachment, the chairman was alledged of misappropriation of funds and waste in council's projects.
Failure to officially address the legislative arm on the state of affairs of the local government as enshrined in the local government law section 3 subsection (1).
Similarly, his impeachment was also based on his refusal to present income and expenditure to the council as enshrined in state local government law section 3(d).
Okem was further accused of refusal to assent to motions and resolutions passed by the legislative council, hence neglecting implementation of such resolutions, thereby making the arm of local government ineffective.
The chairman was also alledged to have Implemented polices without wide consultation to get best results.
The councilors also bemaomed the overhearing influence of the chairman's wife over every administrative running of the council, which has affected the smooth running of the council.
The removal was also premised on his refusal to make funds available for the councitors to renovate and access their offices nine months after inauguration.
