The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) has suspended four councillors of the Akpabuyo Legislative Council for 90 days over allegations of gross misconduct.
The affected councillors are Innocent Mbukpa, Patrick Eyo Etim, Bassey Effiom Edet, and Tete Oyoyo Ubene. Their suspension followed the consideration of a petition submitted by two other councillors, Emmanuel Archibong and Bassey Ekpo, who accused them of persistent harassment, intimidation, and aggressive behaviour.
Presenting the petition during plenary, the Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Abi State Constituency, Davies Etta, said the accused councillors were alleged to have engaged in acts of molestation and intimidation, including the use of suspected cult groups to threaten the council’s leadership.
The petition also alleged that the councillors attacked the Leader of the Legislature, Ekpo Bassey Ekpo, and council staff on March 23, 2026, resulting in injuries and damage to property.
Reacting to the development, the Leader of the House, Francis Asuquo, criticised the councillors’ handling of grievances, stressing the need to follow due process.
“Public office holders must always operate within the bounds of the law. Resorting to violence to address grievances is unacceptable,” he said.
Other lawmakers also condemned the incident and urged political actors to adopt dialogue and peaceful means of resolving conflicts.
The House resolved that the councillors remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution.
Lawmakers cited Section 14(3) of the Local Government Law, which empowers the Assembly to suspend local government officials facing allegations of misconduct to allow for proper investigation.
