Sexual Misconduct: US Envoy To Testify At Reps Hearing Thursday

Bode Gbadebo, By Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf

— Jul 12, 2016 3:39 am | Leave a comment

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, is expected to testify as the House of Representatives begins a public investigation into the case of alleged sexual misconduct levelled against three members of the House: Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

The three lawmakers were accused of soliciting for sex while attending an International Visitor Leadership Programme at Cleveland, Ohio in the United States of America between April 7 and 13 this year. They have however denied the allegations.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Entwistle had in a letter dated June 9, 2016, addressed to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, complained about the conduct of the lawmakers and the concerns of his home government.

Consequently the House at plenary on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, resolved and mandated a joint Committee on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs to conduct an inquiry into the matter and report back to the House accordingly.

The committee, headed by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai and Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, respectively, invited the US ambassador to to give evidence at the public hearing slated for 11am on Thursday at Room 028 of the House’s new wing.

In a phone interview with LEADERSHIP yesterday, Ossai said the House was committed to transparently getting to the root of the matter, hence the need to hold an investigative public hearing on the matter.

Members of the House Press Corps would cover the joint committee sitting while other relevant stakeholders have also been invited to observe proceedings.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the US Embassy, Mr Sean McIntosh, when contacted, said he could not comment on the issue.