Reps clear three lawmakers of sexual misconduct

House of Representatives Tuesday cleared three of its lawmakers of sexual misconduct, asking the Federal Government to immediately ensure that all sanctions meted to them by the United States in view of the allegations are relaxed.

The resolution followed the adoption of the three-points recommendations by its Ethics and Privileges Committee, led by Ossai Nicholas Ossai.

Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwhistle, had in a letter dated June 9, 2016, addressed to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, accused Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC-Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP-Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue), of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes while on official trip to the US.

The matter was extensively dealt with during an investigative public hearing of the Committee, where Entwistle gave up on his allegations, saying there was no evidence of any sort against the lawmakers.

The three lawmakers were among the 10 invited to the International Visitor Leadership Programme held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The matter was brought before the House on Tuesday July 21, by one of the accused, where it was referred to the joint committee.

However, considering the Committee’s report yesterday, at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy Speaker, Sulaimon Lasun, the recommendations were overwhelmingly carried without any dissenting voice.

The recommendations are: “Hon Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon Mark Terseer Gbilla and Hon Samuel Ikon are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations leveled against them by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria in his June 9, 2016 letter to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for want of evidence.

“That in the light of the foregoing, the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs do engage with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, with a view to finding a seamless resolution of the domestic fallout of this unfortunate incident as it relates to Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbilla and Hon. Samuel Ikon.”

The ministry was also asked to write and inform the US Embassy of the need to always adopt proper channel of communications in dealing with any organ or institution of government.

 National Mirror

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