Sexual Misconduct: Accused lawmakers demand video evidence

Three members of House of Representatives accused of sexual misconduct while attending International Visitor Leadership Programme in America have demanded for video evidence from US government to prove the allegations

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They made the request during an investigative hearing on the allegations by the joint House Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Mohammed Gololo was alleged to have sexually assaulted a housekeeper in his hotel room while Mark Gbillah and Samuel Ikon were accused of soliciting prostitutes.

Gololo, who was accused of grabbing a house keeper at the Marriot Hotel in Cleveland, described the allegation as spurious.
He demanded that the allegation against him be retracted and apologies tendered by the US government if video evidence was not produced.

Mark Gbillah who also denied allegation against him, said the US action on the matter was premeditated as the views of the lawmakers were not sought.

He said that US reliance on evidence from employees of the hotel and confirmation of identities of the accused lawmakers through a group photograph was faulty and did not comply with global norms that demanded fair hearing on such matter.

On his part, Emmanuel Ikom said that the Ambassador’s letter that suggested that all parties were interrogated before arriving at outcome was misleading.

Chairman House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Ossai  adopted the submissions of the lawmakers and adjourned the investigative hearing to Thursday due to the absence of the foreign affairs minister.

It was stated that during their stay in the hotel, there was no time they came in contact with any house keeper.