US Sex Scandal: Reps Clear Accused Lawmakers

By Ebitonye Akpodigha

The three Nigerian lawmakers accused of involvement of sex scandal while in the US for a programme have been cleared of the accusation by the House of Representatives.

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria had on June 9, 2016, in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Mr Yakubu Dogara, alleged that the congressmen were involved in a sexual misconduct scandal in the US.

The accused persons are Mr Mohammed Garba Gololo, Mr Mark Terseer Gbillah and Mr Samuel Ikon. The lawmakers denied the allegations.

A joint committee comprising Ethics and Privileges and that of Foreign Affairs was established and given the mandate to look into the matter and give recommendations.

Reading its recommendations on the floor of the lower chamber on Tuesday, the joint committee said:

“That Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah and Hon. Samuel Ikon are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations levelled against them by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria in his June 9, 2016 letter to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, for want of evidence.

“That in the light of the foregoing, the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs do engage with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, with a view to finding a seamless resolution of the domestic fallout of this unfortunate incident as it relates to Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah and Hon. Samuel Ikon;

“That the Ministry of Foreign affairs do write to remind the United States Embassy of the need to always adopt the official channel of communications in its dealings with any organ or institution of government.”

The House, after a voice vote, approved of the recommendations.