One
of the three House of Representatives members accused of sexual misconduct in
the United States was yesterday close to tears as he defended his integrity
before the panel probing the allegations made by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
James Entwistle.
Rep.
Mohammed Gololo (APC-Bauchi) was alleged to have sexually assaulted a
housekeeper in his hotel room. His colleagues, Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue) and
Samuel Ikon (PDP-Akwa Ibom) were accused of soliciting for prostitutes while
attending a leadership programme in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
During
the investigative hearing on the allegations, by the joint Committees on Ethics
and Privileges and Foreign Affairs in Abuja yesterday, they demanded video
evidence from the ambassador who leveled the allegations in a letter to Speaker
Yakubu Dogara.
Gbillah,
whose eyes were misty while testifying, denied the allegation, saying the
reliance on evidence from employees of the hotel and confirmation of identities
of the lawmakers in a group photograph was faulty.
According
to him, the action did not comply with global norms that demanded fair hearing
on such matter.
“We
were not contacted by the US embassy to hear from us about what transpired at
the hotel.
“This
is the only evidence they admitted that they have contrary to all fallacious
statements in the media about them having video evidence.
“I
can then dare the U.S. government today to produce the video evidence about
something that does not exist.
“Some
of us will not relent in this matter,’’ Gbillah said.
He
added that the accused lawmakers suspended legal process on the matter in
deference to the ongoing investigation.
“But,
when you have concluded we are taking it up at whatever U.S. department wants
because it is my reputation and career and I will not take this lying low,’’ he
said.
Gololo,
who was accused of grabbing a house keeper at the Marriot Hotel in Cleveland,
described the allegation as spurious.
He
demanded that the allegation should be retracted and apologies tendered by the
US government if video evidence was not produced.
According
to him, I never grabbed any body and all through my stay in the hotel, I did
not come in contact with any house keeper.
“So,
I insist that the video evidence against me be produced not only to clear my
name but to seek redress for the damages done to my reputation.
“I
am ready to go back to Cleveland at my expense to establish my innocence
without prejudice to my right,’’ Gololo said.
Ikom
said the U.S. Ambassador’s letter that suggested that all parties were
interrogated before arriving at a conclusion was misleading.
He
said:” My views on this issue have not been sought; I have not been confronted
with facts at their disposal.
Chairman,
House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Rep. Nicholas Ossai, adopted
the submissions of the lawmakers and adjourned the hearing till today.
Ossai
said the panel will take submissions from Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey
Onyeama, who was absent at the investigative hearing because of his engagement
at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
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