THE three members of the House of Representatives accused of
improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes in Ohio, the
United States of America, yesterday told the leadership of the House to convoke
a public investigative hearing on the allegations against them. This is as one
of the accused lawmaker, Mark Gbillah, who represents Gwer East/Gwer West
Federal Constituency of Benue State, denied any culpability in the allegation,
saying he had never cheated on his wife since he got married.
Meanwhile, speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu
Dogara, who presided over the plenary, referred the allegations to the
Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs to carry out
investigations on the matter. Dogara also cautioned commentators on the allegation
to tread with caution as an accused was assumed innocent until proven guilty.
The three members, according to a letter from the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria,
Mr. James Entwistle, to the speaker are Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi);
Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue). Entwistle had in
the petition to Dogara, alleged that the actions of the three lawmakers at the
International Visitor Leadership Programme, brought disrepute to the
parliament. He alleged that they solicited for sex from prostitutes and grabbed
hotel housekeeper in a bid to rape. Relying on House Order 6, Rule 20 and 22
that deals with privileges of members, Gbillah stated that it was important
that the matter be specifically addressed on the floor of the House, adding
that the allegation was completely false.
Speaking on behalf of the other
accused members, the Benue State-born lawmaker said: “For my colleagues who
don’t know me and Nigerians out there, I want to categorically state here, for
any avoidance of doubt, that no such incident occurred. “I want my colleagues
and the nation to understand that though we are in the eye of the storm, we
will bear this cross and courageously too. “I want to say that this is
calculated to tarnish the image of the three members and this very hallowed
institution. And I caution Nigerians who are quick to conclusion, I want to
state categorically for all Nigerians to know again, that I love my wife
without reservation. “I only have eyes for my wife. I have never cheated on her.
I wish she was able to come to this hallowed chambers to testify to this. I
went on this trip with my wife and my baby. I travel everywhere I go with my
wife and baby.” Maintaining his innocence on the allegations, Gbillah, who said
he had travelled to many parts of the world without any allegation against him,
efforts should be made immediately to invite the U.S. Ambassador to come and
testify with evidence before his tenure runs out in Nigeria. He also insisted
that the investigation should be through public hearing, so the public would
know the truth in the allegation. Besides, he said non of the accused was
interrogated either in the United States or in the US Embassy in Nigeria before
the ambassador rushed to make his conclusions.
“We are in the eye of the storm,
we demand justice should be done,” Gbillah in an emotional voice stated. Making
her contribution, Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, said that the issue had become a matter
between Nigeria and the United States, adding that it was an issue that dealt
on strategic relationship between the two countries. Ukeje, who represents
Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, advised the committees handling the
matter not to in any way jeopardise the relationship between the two countries.
While referring the matter to the Committees on Ethics and Privileges and
Foreign Affairs, the speaker said the matter was a very serious one where many
people had come to with the conclusion that the three lawmakers were wrong. She
said anybody thinking that the matter was only about the there members or the
House alone was wrong, stressing that if the matter was not properly
investigated, it could be extended to other Nigerians. She said that going by
the House Rule, any such allegation of impropriety was always referred to the
Committee on Ethics. “I have appointed the Committee on Foreign Affairs to join
in the investigation because of the diplomatic relationship. “The standard in
the US is that an accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty and that is
the same standard in Nigeria. Any one who has evidence can now see the
committee,’’ Ukeje said.
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