US blackmailing us, accused lawmakers insist

The lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct during a programme in the United States have maintained innocence, insisting that the US must produce evidence to back the allegation.

On Tuesday, the house of representatives mandated its committees on ethics, privileges and foreign affairs to investigate the allegation.This followed a motion brought under order six, rules two and 22 of the house standing orders by Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue), one of the accused.

In the motion, Gbillah described the action of James Entwhistle, US Ambassador to Nigeria, in petitioning the house, as a move to tarnish the image of the lawmakers and the hallowed chamber.

He said no such incident occurred, demanding that the envoy supports his allegation with proof.

Gbillah, who was accused with Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mohammed Gololo (APC, Bauchi) of the crime, said that none of them was interrogated by US authorities.

He said there was, therefore, the need not to draw conclusion on the matter until it had been properly investigated.

The motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.

However, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, cautioned that the matter should be taken with utmost seriousness so as not to jeopardise Nigeria-US relationship.

In his remarks, Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house, urged Nigerians to tread with caution on the matter until the persons involved were proven guilty.

He therefore referred the matter to the relevant committees.