US sex scandal: Minister, Entwistle’s absence stalls Reps probe

Posted by admin American Politics, Headlines Thursday, July 14th, 2016

-Sun

In what could be described as an anti-climax, the public hearing of allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against three lawmakers yesterday failed to hold.
The House of Representatives Joint Committee attributed the failure to sit to the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyendu, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle and the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States.
The much-awaited, which generated tension and excitement in the National Assembly, with local and foreign observers looking forward to submissions from concerned parties was adjourned to Wednesday, July 20,
Entwistle in a letter dated June 9, addressed to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, alleged that Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) who were in Cleveland, Ohio for the International Visitor Leadership Programme between April 7 and 13 were involved in sexual misconduct.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Ossian Nicholas Ossai, consisting of the House committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, disclosed on Monday that the Committee was expecting Entwistle to provide video evidence, as the management of the Renaissance Hotel, Ohio had not been invited.
All the three accused lawmakers made appearance, with Gbillah attending the briefing in company with his wife and her baby.
Announcing the adjournment, Ossai explained that the minister had written the committee, asking for another date to give his testimony as he was away in Kigali, Rwanda, for the 29th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.wp_posts