Three members of the House of Representatives accused of soliciting for sex while on a tour of the United States of America have been exonerated of the crime.
The three members accused of sexual misconduct while on a trip to the United States are Mohammed Gololo (AP-Bauchi); Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue) and Samuel Ikom (PDP-Akwa Ibom).
The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges passed the verdict on Tuesday in a report submitted to the House.
Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, had accused the lawmakers of sexually assaulting a house keeper and soliciting for sex while attending the International Visitors Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio.
However, Hon. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, said the lawmakers were cleared for want of evidence.
“Rep. Mohammed Gololo, Rep. Mark Gbillah and Rep. Samuel Ikom are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations levelled against them by the US Ambassador to Nigeria in his June 9, 2016 letter to Speaker for want of evidence.
“In the light of the foregoing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs should engage the US Ambassador to Nigeria with a view to finding a seamless resolution of the domestic fall out of this unfortunate incident as it relates to the lawmakers,’’ Ossai said.
He further urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to write to remind the US Embassy of the need to always adopt the official channel of communications in its dealing with any organ or institution of government.
The incident allegedly occurred in a hotel during the International Visitor Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. held between April 7 and April 13. It was attended by 10 members of the lower chamber.
When the House ordered a probe in July, the US ambassador was expected to provide video evidence. But according Nicholas Ossai, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, no evidence was provided.
