The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked the Ambassador of the United States of America in Nigeria to prove his allegations that three members of the Nigeria House of Representatives were involved in attempted rape while in the US.
In a tweet on Saturday, Dogara said that the United States must prove the allegation, saying: “He who alleges must prove. That’s the law.”
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, had in a letter to Dogara alleged that three members of the House – Rep. Mohammed Gololo (Bauchi), Rep. Samuel Ikon (Akwa Ibom) and Rep. Mark Gbillah ( Benue) – had during a visit to the US committed the crimes.
The Reps, who were in the United States for an International Visitor Leadership Programme held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio, were said to have behaved in unacceptable manner.
However, Dogara has appealed to Nigerians who have been making comments on the social media to stop passing comments on the issue but wait for the outcome of investigation.
A statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, said Dogara called ond Nigerians to refrain from passing judgment and wait for the outcome of the investigation by the parliament.
“Judgment can only be passed when an allegation is proven.”
Dogara maintained that as ambassadors of the House and indeed the entire country, the members in the middle of the scandal would have known not to bring dishonour to the institution they represent.
He vowed that the House would conduct an investigation into allegations, saying: “together with the US Embassy in Nigeria, we will get to the bottom of this matter.”
The speaker said that apart from the letter, no evidence had been forwarded to his office and that there can be no conviction without a trial.
He also indicated that the lawmakers have said that they are prepared to defend themselves at their own cost.
Speaking on the attempted rape allegation, the Speaker said it was not alluded to in the letter he received.
“We await the result of the investigation into the matter.” [myad]
