Sexual Assault: US has no evidence against 3 Nigerian lawmakers

How embarrassing is this?

Hope the lawmakers would be compensated in one way or the other?



It has been established that James Entwistle, outgoing ambassador of US to Nigeria, has no evidence of sexual misconduct against three members of the House of Representatives, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has said.

Onyeama’s disclosure finally put to rest, the ongoing investigation against the accused lawmakers which include: Mohammed Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

This is also coming after Gololo, yesterday, insisted that the allegation against him was false and unfounded, saying during his stay at the Mariot Hotel in US, there was no time a maid entered his room.

“I never grabbed any housemaid. I take this matter seriously. I demand an apology and retraction from the ambassador.

Also testifying, Ikon stated that: “It was most devastating, demeaning and embarrassing to be accused of such a misconduct.

“I did not request the assistance of anybody nor did I desire a prostitute. I was never questioned on the alleged issue in the US or in Nigeria for the issue.

But the Minister who appeared before the joint committees on ethics and privileges and foreign affairs, having failed to honour its last two invitations said Entwinstle regretted that the letter he wrote to Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was leaked.

He said the envoy only called the attention of Dogara to the issue.

“He (Entwistle) has confirmed that the allegations were made, and he told me that the hotel house keeper has refused to testify in respect of the matter, “Onyeama said.

“The allegations are ambiguous. He did not present any evidence nor did he indicate that they have any corroborative evidence.”

“He is not necessarily making accusations himself but was bringing it to the attention of the house. It does not conclude guilt because no steps have been taken.”

Meanwhile, the committee chairman, Ossai Ossai expressed concern that the US government had already punished the accused members by revoking their visas.