Though the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama was absent for the second time running at the hearing of the allegation of sexual misconduct leveled against three members of the House of Representatives, the joint committee nonetheless listened to submissions from the lawmakers.
The Joint House Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs also began the investigation Wednesday without presentation or representation from the Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle.
But the three accused lawmakers not only professed their innocence, they also threatened to commence legal proceedings against the US government and the hotel from which the accusation initially emanated.
Recall that 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.
But the lawmakers Wednesday accused Entwistle of falsehood and racial bias, while re- echoing their earlier statements that they were denied fair hearing in the matter.
Mark Gbillah, one of the accused became misty- eyed at the event after giving his testimony.
Though the Chairman of the joint Committee Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai said the Minister wrote in to say that he was attending the Federal Executive Council meeting and that he would be in attendant Thursday, he insisted that Entwistle must be present at the hearing.
Hon. Mohammed Gololo (Bauchi, APC) while presenting his case denied the allegation and described it as unsubstantiated by the US envoy to Nigeria.
According to him, he never met any hotel attendant in the course of his visit to the United States of America for the programme and that he never had a maid clean his room while he was in Cleveland, Ohio.
While demanding an apology for being falsely accused, Gololo wondered why the hotel maid he allegedly grabbed did not shout for help.
He said Entwistle had failed to prove his case. “These postponements (of appearance by minister) are denials in disguise,” he claimed.
Hon. Mark Gbillah (Benue, APC) while giving his side of the story described the allegation on the sex scandal as a baseless one, adding that he never engaged with a car park attendant to arrange a prostitute for him.
He expressed readiness to sue the US Embassy in a law court and claim damages over the allegation, saying the allegation emanated from deep-rooted animosity and disdain for Nigeria and other developing nations, by the United States of America.
He challenged the US envoy to provide proof to back his allegation that he asked a car park attendant at the hotel to procure the services of a prostitute for him, adding that he was a victim of racial profiling,
Samuel Ikon (Akwa-Ibom, APC) said he was not involved in any discussion with any hotel car park attendant during the US visit.
His health condition at that time could not have allowed him solicit for sex. He said the accusation has caused him profound embarrassment and called on Entwistle to provide evidence against him to probe the allegation.
Ossai adjourned hearing to Thursday saying it would give the Minister of foreign Affairs an opportunity to provide insight into the matter.
He however insisted that Entwistle must testify at the Thursday hearing.
