Skip to main content

Breaking: Reps exonerate 3 members accused of soliciting sex in US

Reps in sex scandal, Samuel ikon, Mark Gbillah, Mohammed Garba-Gololo

Reps in sex scandal, Samuel ikon, Mark Gbillah, Mohammed Garba-Gololo

Three members of the House of Representatives accused of soliciting for sex while on a tour of the United States of America have been exonerated of the crime.

The three members accused of sexual misconduct while on a trip to the United States are Mohammed Gololo (AP-Bauchi); Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue) and Samuel Ikom (PDP-Akwa Ibom).

The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges passed the verdict on Tuesday in a report submitted to the House.

Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, had accused the lawmakers of sexually assaulting a house keeper and soliciting for sex while attending the International Visitors Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio.

However, Hon. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, said the lawmakers were cleared for want of evidence.

“Rep. Mohammed Gololo, Rep. Mark Gbillah and Rep. Samuel Ikom are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations levelled against them by the US Ambassador to Nigeria in his June 9, 2016 letter to Speaker for want of evidence.

“In the light of the foregoing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs should engage the US Ambassador to Nigeria with a view to finding a seamless resolution of the domestic fall out of this unfortunate incident as it relates to the lawmakers,’’ Ossai said.

He further urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to write to remind the US Embassy of the need to always adopt the official channel of communications in its dealing with any organ or institution of government.

The incident allegedly occurred in a hotel during the International Visitor Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. held between April 7 and April 13. It was attended by 10 members of the lower chamber.

When the House ordered a probe in July, the US ambassador was expected to provide video evidence. But according Nicholas Ossai, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, no evidence was provided.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...