Sexual allegation: House clears accused lawmakers for want of evidence

House of Representatives yesterday cleared three lawmakers, who were accused by the United States authorities of sexual misconduct.

This was contained in the investigative report of House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.


The lawmakers, who were accused of sexual misconduct are, Hon. Mohammed Gololo (AP-Bauchi), Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue) and Hon. Samuel Ikom (PDP-Akwa Ibom).

The lawmakers were accused by the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle of sexually assaulting a house keeper and soliciting for sex while attending the International visitors Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio.

Presenting the report before the House,
Ethics and Privileges Committee Chairman, Hon. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) disclosed that the lawmakers were cleared for want of evidence.

He said: "Hon. Mohammed Gololo, Hon. Mark Gbillah and Hon. Samuel Ikom are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations leveled against them by the US Ambassador to Nigeria in his June 9, 2016 letter to Speaker for want of evidence.

"It was well established that the accusation that Mohammed Garba Gololo allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited her for sex, was not proved.

"There was no irrefutable evidence in form of cctv/video footage of the scene, report of any form of investigation indicting the accused person or written statement of the complainant-housekeeper indicting the accused person.

"Although there was information that the alleged complainant-housekeeper had declined to testify anywhere, in respect of the allegation, but assuming the complainant had declined to testify or commit herself to recorded evidence, the vital particulars of the crime such as complainant's name, date and time of the crime should not have been suppressed as was done in this matter.

"In the light of the foregoing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs do engage with 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."

The Chairman, however 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.