As the allegation of sexual
misconduct against three
Nigerian lawmakers by the
United States Government
continues to draw public
fury, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives,
Yakubu Dogara, has asked
America to provide fool-
proof evidence that the
lawmakers indeed committed
the crimes.
A lawmaker, Mohammed
Gololo (APC-Bauchi State)
was accused of grabbing a
hotel maid and soliciting sex,
while two others, Samuel
Ikon (PDP-Akwa Ibom) and
Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue
State) allegedly requested a
car park attendant to help
them arrange the services of
prostitutes during a visit to
Cleveland for the
International Visitor
Leadership Programme.
The allegations were
contained in a June 9 petition
to Mr. Dogara by American
Ambassador to Nigeria,
James Entwistle.
The three lawmakers denied
the allegations separately
describing them as “totally
false”, “calculated attempt to
rubbish the National
Assembly” and “a case of
mistaken identity.”
In a series of tweets on
Saturday, Mr. Dogara
commented on the
allegations, as he responded
to questions thrown at him
by Nigerians.
“He who alleges must
prove,” he said via his
Twitter handle @
speakerdogara. “That’s the
law.”
“As we speak no evidence
has been put forward other
than the letter sent to my
office and copied to many
others.
“Together with the US
Embassy in Nigeria we will
get to the bottom of this
matter and until then let’s
not be judgemental.
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“Under our laws an accused
person is deemed innocent
until proven guilty and he
enjoys the benefit of any
doubt.
“Social media trial and
conviction of members
alleged to have committed
the offence is taking up arms
against our laws,” tweeted
an “awfully embarrassed”
Mr. Dogara.
Charged by Twitter user @
saintyMartins for being
“more defensive” than the
accused lawmakers, Mr.
Dogara replied, “what’s more
offensive, to be defensive
or convict people based on
an allegation? Is that the
standard in the US.”
Another Twitter user @
akorive001 asked Mr.
Dogara what his response
was to allegation by activist
Kayode Ogundamisi that he
was shielding the accused
lawmakers.
“Interesting,” the Speaker
replied, “He (@ogundamisi)
can convict if he likes but for
us we must see the evidence
(be)cos(cause) that’s what
the law says.
“My position is very
neutral.”
On the alleged “attempted
rape” of hotel room keeper
by Mr. Gololo, Mr. Dogara
said the US Ambassador did
make reference to that in his
letter. “That’s a social media
creation.”
Mr. Gololo was actually
accused of “grabbing” the
room keeper and soliciting
sex from her.
He said the concerned
lawmakers had indicated they
were ready to stand trial in
the US.
“They are ready to do that
at their own cost.”
In further tweets, the
Speaker, however, warned
of consequences for the
lawmakers if proven guilty.
“No ambassador brings
dishonour to his home
country without some dire
consequences. This all
members know.”
“The members are
ambassadors of the House
and indeed Nigeria when
they were in the US, they
mustn’t bring dishonour to
us.”
The spokesperson for the
House, Abdulrazaq Namdas,
told PREMIUM TIMES on
Thursday that the House
leadership was investigating
the matter.

donifecent:
Let them resign first

donifecent:
Let them resign first