House of Rep Launches Probe Into Alleged sexual Misconduct By Three Reps In U.S

The House of Representatives yesterday officially commenced a probe into the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against three of its members during a recent visit to the United States.

 
The three lawmakers are Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

They were part of a group of 10 legislators invited by the U.S. government for the International Visitor Leadership Programme held between April 7 and 13, in Cleveland, Ohio.

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle in a June 9, 2016 letter to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, accused two of the lawmakers of soliciting for prostitutes while the third, Gololo, was specifically accused of grabbing a female room attendant in his hotel, while asking for s*x.

The three accused lawmakers have consistently denied the allegations. Rt. Hon. Dogara, while instituting the investigation on Tuesday, mandated the House Committees on Ethic and Privileges and Foreign Affairs to ensure a detailed investigation into the allegation to allow the House make an informed decision.

The Speaker, however, said Nigeria expects from America the standard investigations it is known for and the adherence to the principle of fair hearing in which an accused is adjudged innocent until proven guilty.

“The standard in the US is that an accused person is adjudged innocent until proven guilty. The standard in the US is the standard in Nigeria”, Speaker Dogara said.

House of Rep Launches Probe Into Alleged sexual Misconduct By Three Reps In U.S