Sex Scandal: Accused Reps call for public investigative hearing
Wed Jun 22, 2016 07:39:am Politics
2.8K By Buchi Obichie
rape and soliciting for prostitutes while in Ohio, the United States of America. This comes as one of the accused lawmakers, 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.
Presiding over Tuesday's plenary session, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, referred the allegations to the Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs to carry out investigations on the matter.
Reminding all commentators that an accused person was assumed innocent until proven guilty, Speaker Dogara cautioned them to tread with caution.
The three accused 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 a 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 none 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 stated.
Presiding over Tuesday's plenary session, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, referred the allegations to the Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs to carry out investigations on the matter.
Reminding all commentators that an accused person was assumed innocent until proven guilty, Speaker Dogara cautioned them to tread with caution.
The three accused 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 a 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 none 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 stated.
Related News
Leave a comment...