Just In: Lawmakers Open Up On S’ex Scandal Allegations

Two members of the House of Representatives,
Mohammed Garba Gololo (Bauchi) and Mark
Gbillah (Benue) have denied allegations
leveled against them by the United State
Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle,
bordering on sexual assault.
While Gololo was alleged to have attempted
to rape a housekeeper in his hotel room,
Gbillah and another lawmaker, Samuel
Ikon (Akwa Ibom) were accused of
soliciting s*x from prostitutes.
According to a popular daily Gbillah
responded stating that, “This is an affront
on the National Assembly and Nigeria, it
appears they have ulterior motives. We are
not going to take this lightly; we will take
legal actions against the US government. It
is a dent on our image.
“I went on the trip with my wife and baby
and insisted that she stayed with me, but
they told me the accommodation was
meant for only participants…I saw the
ambassador (Entwistle) and went to greet
him and he told me how a few of us
tarnished the image of the House. I advised
him to make it formal so that we can know
who was involved and what actually
happened.
“It was after this encounter that they called
us to their premises and said they were
identified by their accusers in a group
picture. This is curious. No video footage.
They didn’t accost us while we were in US.
We suspect this is a calculated attempt to
rubbish the National Assembly.
“We, the concerned members, have written
to the speaker indicating the facts and
demanding footage of our stay in the hotel.
We also want them to provide access to
our accusers to identify us. But most
importantly, we would be demanding
compensation from the US government for
defamation of character”.
Gololo is also said to have denied the
claims via a letter written to the Speaker of
the House of Representatives Yakubu
Dogara.
He said: “Let me, from the outset, express
my shock and dismay at the contents of the
letter generally and particularly affects me.
“These are totally false, unfounded and
baseless allegations against me. I
categorically deny any such incident
happened, I never grabbed any
housekeeper nor did I solicit for s*x. I also
take this issue very seriously not only
because I am a honourable member
representing a hallowed institution, but
because of my integrity as a husband and
father. How would my family and in-laws
react to these wild and grave allegations?
“I demand an apology and retraction of
these allegations or I shall not hesitate to
engage the services of lawyers and not
only to clear my name, but to seek redress
for the damages done to my reputation. I
insist that evidence of the allegations
against me be produced”.
The three legislators were among ten
Nigerians who visited Cleveland, Ohio on
the invitation of the US government to
attend the International Visitor Leadership
Program which held between April 7 and
13, 2016.