Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has challenged the United States of America to substantiate the allegations against three Nigerian lawmakers accused of sexual offences during their visit to the country few weeks ago.
The Speaker, while reacting to questions by Nigerians over the issue on his twitter handle, speakerdogara, said no evidence had been received on the allegation beyond the letter in which the lawmakers were accused of committing the offences.
“As we speak, no evidence has been put forward other than the letter sent to my office and copied to many others,” he tweeted.
The Speaker who noted that an accused person was presumed innocent until proven guilty said, “social media trial and conviction of the members alleged to have committed the offence is taking up arms against our laws.
“Together with the US Embassy in Nigeria, we will get to the bottom of this matter and until then let’s not be judgmental,” he tweeted.
Three Nigerian lawmakers – Mr. Mohammed Garba-Gololo (Bauchi State); Mr. Terse Gbillah (Benue State), and Mr. Samuel Ikon (Cross River State) were accused of committing sexual offences during a trip to the US to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Programme on Good Governance organised by the US government.
The three lawmakers were members of a team of 10 lawmakers nominated to attend the leadership programme, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio, between April 7 and 13 this year.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle had in a letter dated June 9 to the Speaker, accused Mr.Garba Gololo of grabbing a hotel worker and soliciting sex from her, while Mr. Mark Terseer Gbillah and Samuel Ikon allegedly requested that hotel parking attendants assist them to solicit prostitutes.
But the three lawmakers have consistently denied the allegation with Mr. Ikon insisting his reported involvement is a case of mistaken identity. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, had last Thursday, directed the investigation of the three members over the allegations.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged Nigerians to refrain from passing judgment on the three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct, saying they remain innocent until proved guilty.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Turaki Hassan, Dogara’s Special Adviser and Public Affairs on Saturday in Abuja.
Dogara asked Nigerians to wait for the outcome of investigation into the alleged misconduct.
The Speaker said that judgment could only be passed when the allegation was proved.
“As ambassadors of the House and indeed, the entire country, the members in the middle of the scandal have known not to bring dishonour to the institution they represent.
“The House would conduct an investigation into allegations together with the US Embassy in Nigeria and we will get to the bottom of this matter,’’ Dogara said.
He said apart from the letter, no evidence had been forwarded to his office, adding that there “can be no conviction without a trial.’’
“The lawmakers have said that they are prepared to defend themselves at their own cost.
“However, the attempted rape allegation was not alluded to in the letter I received. We await the result of the investigation into the matter,’’ Dogara said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Samuel Ikon, one of the three House of Representatives members accused of sexual indiscretion in the U.S., has dismissed the allegation as untrue, saying his identity had been mistaken.
Ikon, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Constituency of Akwa Ibom, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday that the allegation was in bad taste.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, had on Wednesday petitioned the House of Representatives alleging that Ikon and two other lawmakers solicited sex from prostitutes in Cleveland, Ohio, recently.
The lawmaker said that he was at a loss as to what the U.S. envoy intended to achieve with the allegation, insisting that he had been mistakenly dragged into a matter he knew nothing about.
He said that he was happy that the lower chamber had commenced the process of investigating the allegation, and expressed confidence that he would be cleared.
He also said that he had briefed his lawyers to initiate legal and diplomatic steps to get to the root of the matter “to clear my name and the institution I represent”.
Condemning the allegation by the ambassador, Ikon said, “I wish to state unequivocally that this is false and definitely not me.
“This, to me is a case of mistaken identity and I will be vindicated. I have initiated measures both legal and diplomatic to clear my name and the institution I represent.
“There are many questions left unanswered by the actions of the U.S. mission but I believe it will become clearer in the course of time.”
He urged his constituents and Nigerians to be patient as the truth would be unveiled, adding that God would vindicate him.
“I want to reassure all of my innocence in this matter and I call on all relevant authorities and jurisdictions to commence full investigation to correct this great injustice to me.
“I have an unwavering faith in God to see me through this trying moment and plead with all not to be hasty in condemning me as the final outcome will surely clear my name.
“I urge for patience, prayers and God’s abiding wisdom at this time,” Ikon said. (NAN)
