House of Reps clears members accused by U.S. of sexual assault

The House of Representatives on Tuesday cleared the three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct.

In recommendations submitted by its Ethics and Privileges Committee, the House also mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the United States senior diplomats on ways to reconcile the U.S. mission in Nigeria and the accused lawmakers.

A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, had in a letter to Speaker Yakubu Dogara said Mohammed Galolo, Samuel Ikon and Mark Gbillah sought to patronise prostitutes and made attempts to rape a hotel housekeeper.

In the scathing petition, dated June 9, Mr. Entwistle painted details of the lawmakers’ activities and said the conduct constituted a betrayal of trust and called for a thorough investigation.

Mr. Entwistle said the incident occurred when the three lawmakers participated in a leadership conference sponsored by the U.S. State Department in Ohio.

The letter earned the lawmakers public criticism, prompting the House to mandate the Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate the matter.

But the lawmakers denied the allegations and challenged the diplomat to provide evidence supporting the claims.

Mr. Entwistle and the U.S. embassy declined to comment further the matter.

Nicholas Ossai, chairman of the 13-member ethics committee, said the panel heard from the three accused lawmakers but htheir efforts to get Mr. Entwistle to appear were unsuccessful.

The House also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should warn the United States diplomats in Nigeria to always use formal channels when pursuing diplomatic matters.

Mr. Entwistle retired from the U.S. Diplomatic Service in August and had since left Nigeria.