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The Cross River State House of Assembly has removed the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Hon. Theresa Ushie, after adopting the report of its Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions.
Nineteen of the 25 lawmakers voted in favour of her removal during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The process began on June 10, 2025, after eight councillors from the Bekwarra Legislative Council submitted a petition that led to her 90-day suspension and the appointment of Vice Chairman Hon. Egbung Odama as Acting Chairman pending investigation.
Committee Findings
Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions, Hon. Davies Eta (Abi State Constituency), said the petition submitted on May 19, 2025, contained “serious concerns” about the administration of the council.
The councillors accused Ushie of corruption, abuse of office, unlawful stoppage of councillors’ salaries, and running the council without due process.
Eta said the committee interacted with the petitioners, the suspended chairman, and other stakeholders in Abuochiche, concluding that the allegations were “weighty and substantiated.”
“The conduct of the chairman fell below the expectations of her office, and the evidence before us supports her removal,” Eta told the House.
Assembly Resolution
Following the adoption of the committee’s recommendations, the Assembly resolved to remove Hon. Theresa Ushie for gross misconduct and directed that a bye-election be conducted to fill the now-vacant position.
Speaker Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to accountability.
“This House will always defend transparency and uphold the law. Our duty is to the people of Cross River State,” he said.
