SAN FRANCISCO, July 21, (THEWILL) – Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Relations, has opined that the outgoing Ambassador to the United States, James E. Entwistle, does not have any strong evidence to back up the alleged sexual misconduct against three members of the House of Representatives.
Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) who were part of 10 legislators invited by the US government for the International Visitor Leadership Program held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio were accused of sexual misconduct by Entwistle.
The joint Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs, of the house, in its investigative hearing on the allegations had invited and demanded video evidence from the ambassador who levelled the allegations in a letter to Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
However, Entwistle failed to show up on two previous invitations and failed to appear again on Thursday.
This prompted Onyeama, who spoke before the committee on Thursday to declare that the allegation is based on weak foundation, defamatory and could lead to legal consequences.
According to him, the US government has not pressed charges on the lawmakers and does not intend to as the Ambassador told him that the Housekeeper, who claimed she was “grabbed” by one of the lawmakers, has refused to testify.
Onyeama, who had previously interacted with Entwistle in the matter said “he did not present any corroborative evidence and did not give the impression that there are any.
“He did not make any allegations against the members, he was just saying allegations were made and he confirmed they were made.”
Not satisfied, the three accused members declared that the allegation has affected them negatively and vowed that the issue will be legally pursued to a logical conclusion
“I am calling you out, Mr. Entwistle, you cannot intentionally attempt to destroy my reputation and character and hide behind flimsy excuses; be a man and face me with your facts. I dare you in the name of Jesus Christ,” one of them, Mark Gbillah, said close to tears.
Gbillah, whose eyes were misty while testifying, denied the allegation, saying the reliance on evidence from employees of the hotel and confirmation of identities of the lawmakers in a group photograph was faulty.
“We were not contacted by the US embassy to hear from us about what transpired at the hotel.
“This is the only evidence they admitted that they have contrary to all fallacious statements in the media about them having video evidence.
“I can then dare the U.S. government today to produce the video evidence about something that does not exist.”
Story by David Oputah.
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