By Charles Pemu 
The Cross River State House of Assembly has officially removed the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Hon. Theresa Ushie, following the adoption of a report detailing allegations of gross misconduct, corruption, and abuse of office.
The removal was confirmed during Tuesday’s plenary session after 19 out of 25 lawmakers voted in support of the measure, which followed an investigation initiated by the Assembly in June 2025.
The removal process began after the House received a petition dated May 19, 2025, from eight councillors of the Bekwarra Legislative Council. Following deliberation, the House initially suspended Hon. Ushie for 90 days and directed the Vice Chairman, Hon. Egbung Odama, to act in the interim while the investigation proceeded.
Presenting the committee’s findings, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions, Hon. Davies Eta (representing Abi State Constituency), stated that the petition raised serious concerns about the council’s administration.
The report concluded that the councilors’ allegations which included corruption, abuse of office, unlawful stoppage of their salaries, and running the council without due process were weighty and well established after engagements with all stakeholders, including the suspended chairman.
“The conduct of the chairman fell below the expectations of her office, and the evidence before us supports her removal,” Eta stated.
Following the adoption of the committee’s recommendations, the House resolved to remove Hon. Theresa Ushie from office for gross misconduct.
In his closing remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability, saying, “This House will always defend transparency and uphold the law. Our duty is to the people of Cross River State.”
The Assembly has since directed the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) to conduct a bye-election within the next 30 days to fill the vacant chairmanship position.