House of Reps Clears Members Accused of Sexual Assault By US Government

The House of Representatives on Tuesday cleared the three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct.

In recommendations submitted by its Ethics and Privileges Committee, the House also mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the United States senior diplomats on ways to reconcile the U.S. mission in Nigeria and the accused lawmakers.

A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, had in a letter to Speaker Yakubu Dogara said Mohammed Galolo, Samuel Ikon and Mark Gbillah sought to patronise prostitutes and made attempts to rape a hotel housekeeper.

In the scathing petition, dated June 9, Mr. Entwistle painted details of the lawmakers’ activities and said the conduct constituted a betrayal of trust and called for a thorough investigation.

But the lawmakers denied the allegations and challenged the diplomat to provide evidence supporting the claims.
Mr. Entwistle and the U.S. embassy declined to comment further the matter.

Nicholas Ossai, chairman of the 13-member ethics committee, said the panel heard from the three accused lawmakers but htheir efforts to get Mr. Entwistle to appear were unsuccessful.