Sex scandal: US govt cancels three Reps’ visas, Dogara orders probe

June 17, 2016




The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday, directed the investigation of three members of the House for an alleged sex scandal.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, confirmed this in Abuja just as investigations had shown that the United States Embassy had cancelled the visas of the affected members.

Namdas explained that the leadership of the House decided to investigate the alleged sex scandal following a formal complaint made by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle.


He said, “We are in receipt of a letter from the US Ambassador, alleging misconduct by some members of the National Assembly, who attended training in the United States of America.

“The leadership of the House has commenced its own part of the investigation. When it is concluded, we will brief Nigerians further on this issue.”

Namdas, however, declined questions on how the investigation would be conducted.

“When we say we will conduct an investigation, we will conduct it and there will be a report,” Namdas stated.

The development came as the US formally cancelled its visas from the three lawmakers, an indication that they had been barred from future trips to the United States.

However, investigations by The PUNCH showed that the speaker came under pressure from many lawmakers, who felt that the matter could tarnish the image of the National Assembly if it was not attended to.

The affected members – Mr. Mohammed Garba-Gololo (Bauchi State); Mr. Terse Gbillah (Benue State), and Mr. Samuel Ikon (Cross River State) – allegedly committed the act during a recent trip to the US to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Programme on Good Governance organised by the US Government.

The three legislators were members of a team of 10 lawmakers nominated to attend the leadership programme, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio, between April 7 and 13 this year.

Entwistle, in his June 9 letter to Dogara, stated, “It is with regret that I must bring to your attention the following situation.

“Ten members of the Nigerian National Assembly recently travelled to Cleveland, Ohio, as participants in the International Visitor Leadership Programme on good governance.

“We received troubling allegations regarding the behaviour of three members of the delegation to the US Government’s flagship professional exchange programme.

“The US Department of State and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs received reports from employees of the Cleveland hotel, where the representatives stayed, alleging that the representatives engaged in the following behaviour:

“Mohammed Garba Gololo allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited her for sex. While the housekeeper reported this to her management, this incident could have involved local law enforcement and resulted in legal consequences for Representative Gololo.

“Mark Terseer Gbillah and Samuel Ikon allegedly requested that hotel parking attendants assist them to solicit prostitutes.”

Finding showed that the lawmakers dismissed the allegation as “baseless and untrue” when Dogara first sought their explanations.

However, he was said to have come under pressure from members, who insisted on a thorough investigation, considering the fact that the Ambassador committed it to writing.

A National Assembly source stated, “The speaker came under pressure because many members are not satisfied with the responses of the affected persons.

Another source stated, “Of course, the members have threatened legal actions and have requested video evidence from the US Ambassador since the housekeeper was said to have identified Garba-Gololo in a group photograph.

“Members felt that the House should thoroughly investigate the allegation to establish the correct position. The 8th Assembly passed a Code of Conduct to members of the House in 2015.

“This is one of the test cases and it is important that we clear this issue.”

Some of the members, who participated in the programme were Chairman, House Committee on the Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Rita Orji; Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Gaza Jonathan; Mrs. Ayo Omidiran; Mr. Danburam Abubakar; and Mr. Nkole Ndukwe.

US cancels Reps’ visa

The US embassy, it was learnt, had written the three members cancelling their visas to the US.

One of the lawmakers, Gbillah, wrote Entwistle on Thursday (yesterday), accusing the US of not giving the three members fair hearing.

Gbillah also expressed surprise in his letter that within hours of bringing the matter to the attention of the House, the US Government had gone ahead to cancel the visas of the lawmakers.

He threatened to immediately institute legal actions against the US Government, the Ambassador and the Marriot Hotel Brand, among others for damages.

Part of Gbillah’s letter, which was dated June 16, read, “Without conclusive evidence of any sort or contact with any of the accused individuals, the US State Department and US Embassy in Nigeria have less than six days after your letter to the Speaker, gone ahead to revoke the US visas of the accused individuals based on hearsay from the employees of the hotel in Cleveland.

“Affected individuals received correspondence from the US Embassy on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, indicating the denial of their US visas and requesting that they bring their passports with the current US visa to the Embassy.”

The letter was copied to Dogara, the US Secretary of State, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Cleveland Council of World Affairs, and the President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International.

On his part, Ikon claimed that the allegation levelled against him was not only untrue but also a case of mistaken identity.

He stated, “My attention has been drawn to the publication, alleging an act of impropriety against me by the US Mission in Nigeria.

“I wish to state unequivocally that this is false and definitely not me.

“This, to me, is a case of mistaken identity and I have already instituted measures both legally and diplomatically to clear my name and the institution I represent.

The US Mission in Nigeria refused to comment on Entwistle’s letter on Thursday.

“We do not comment on private diplomatic correspondence. Thank you very much for your inquiry,” the Mission’s Press Attaché, Sean McIntosh, said in an email.



http://punchng.com/sex-scandal-us-govt-cancels-three-reps-visas-dogara-orders-probe/

Disgraceful i must say

Which kind of shameful episode is this?

Are their hordes of call girls and sugar daughters in Nigeria not enough?

Dino had even advised patronizing made in Nigeria so why spend our scarce dollars on foreign bodily pleasures when you can spend naira for the same service?

I hope the visa ban extends to Canada and Europe

He goats, that's why they can't make a single intelligent law. Ediots parading themselves as law makers. With what I'm seeing in Africa, except God helps, their's no hope.

I don't think I will blame IKON sex to them is everyday and everywhere stuff....but to me apart From Gololo they rest were politely asking of where to ease them self. OK what about those Agip white that normally disturb all the potential wife in our area? Have we cancel their visa?

Very disgraceful. Don't blame them; they thought they were in Nigeria, where being a politician means you can get anyone to do anything.

Idiots, they wan go foreign. Perverts

A case of mistaken identity and cheap blackmail without convincing evidence and infallible proof.

No invitation, No hearing from the accused and the Judge declared a guilty verdict just like that?

Buhari can now see what he caused with his loosed tongue (Nigerians are all corrupt except Buhari, the certificate fraudster).

These are married adults. They have to vacate the seats to serve as deterrent to the others. The issue of partying with prostitutes imported from different tertiary institutions within and outside the country should also be abolished.

See how these baboons are disgracing us

are you just knowing that?

mesoprogress:
He goats, that's why they can't make a single intelligent law. Ediots parading themselves as law makers. With what I'm seeing in Africa, except God helps He has been helping us, we have refused to help ourselves so there's no hope.

Eya... No US, UK e.t.c entry for you guys anymore!

Useless politicians, Useless government.

Nigeria is broke, but USA is like the regular joint, down street to them.

Though they said the third senator was from Akwa Ibom. Cross River not equal to Akwa Ibom.

This are the Dumbasses representing us?
Well, not too different from what US representatives have been caught doing before, politicians are the same everywhere but the US will ensure this Nigerian one is as shameful as possible because after all we are all corrupt except the for the Dullard.

Why didn't they just send their aids to order them an escort, it's really easy to get an escort. Instead of harassing hotel maids.

All na wash.. Na dem dem... Nothing will come out from this kangaroo investigation.. Useless set of liabilities disgracing themselves.

MadamExcellency:
A case of mistaken identity and cheap blackmail without convincing evidence and infallible proof.

No invitation, No hearing from the accused and the Judge declared a guilty verdict just like that?

Buhari can now see what he caused with his loosed tongue (Nigerians are all corrupt except Buhari, the certificate fraudster.

So before buhari came in, no special attention was paid to Nigerians?

Before buhari came, there were no Alamieseigha, Dariye episodes in the UK?

Before buhari, there was no Siemens scandal in the US?

Before buhari, Nigerians were not being executed for cocaine in Asia?

Before buhari, Nigerians weren't being jailed for yahoo in UK and USA?

Before buhari, Nigerians officials weren't stealing govt money?

konji na bastard.

Charity begins at home, when you don't the importance of your post, then abusive is inevitable

gbammm

Sexual predators! That's how they rape young women in Africa and go free because of terrible dysfunctional law system, their political status and stolen money. Authorities would have held and sent them straight to jail there in the US. Here in Nigeria an ill wind would simply blow the case into oblivion.

Dem think say na NAIJA. ..

some people Who watch PORN on daily basis , think the US has no restrictions for such.
Some EEDIOTS think every white lady is a porn star.


Try them and see.

Using diplomatic visa to go and bang olosho using tax payers money as t-fare now I real diplomat is asking for ya head.

MadamExcellency:
A case of mistaken identity and cheap blackmail without convincing evidence and infallible proof.

No invitation, No hearing from the accused and the Judge declared a guilty verdict just like that?

Buhari can now see what he caused with his loosed tongue (Nigerians are all corrupt except Buhari, the certificate fraudster.

This is really not fair to the members... nobody heard their own part of the story.
I think this case is a set up by some disgruntled elements within the house.

theV0ice:


So before buhari came in, no special attention was paid to Nigerians?

Before buhari came, there were no Alamieseigha, Dariye episodes in the UK?

Before buhari, there was no Siemens scandal in the US?

Before buhari, Nigerians were not being executed for cocaine in Asia?

Before buhari, Nigerians weren't being jailed for yahoo in UK and USA?

Before buhari, Nigerians officials weren't stealing govt money?

Comprehension is your problem.

US Government pronounced a guilty verdict on our congressmen without fair hearing over a gossip by disgruntled hotel staff and this move by US has never happened before in the history of this country. This is the same way EFCC under Buhari has been doing on pages of newspapers and on Internet which is a bad precedence.

US doesn't cancel visas in such circumstances rather they wait to apprehend the suspects on their next visit for possible trial hence I am suspicious of the step taken so far by US. This is a setup to tarnish the image of the pillar of Nigeria's democratic institution.

MadamExcellency:


Comprehension is your problem.

US Government pronounced a guilty verdict of our congressmen without fair hearing over a gossip which has never happened before in the history of this country.

US doesn't cancel visas in such circumstances rather they wait to apprehend the suspects on their next visit for trial hence I am suspicious of the step taken so far by US. This is a setup to tarnish the image of the pillar of Nigeria's democratic institution.

Lack of Common sense is your problem indeed. How does all you wrote up there tally with your assertion that buhari caused it?

MadamExcellency:
A case of mistaken identity and cheap blackmail without convincing evidence and infallible proof.

No invitation, No hearing from the accused and the Judge declared a guilty verdict just like that?

Buhari can now see what he caused with his loosed tongue (Nigerians are all corrupt except Buhari, the certificate fraudster.

Only God knows how you function in real life with this kind of off key logic..

You are so used to defending corrupt practices, filled with anti Buhari sentiments that you have become blunted & can no longer deduce between right and wrong!!

They are lucky they traveled on diplomatic passports, if they had been served the full course of the law, and have gotten jail term or deportation..you wouldn't be here yarning dust!!

That's how they go about with their fantastically corrupt deeks* in hand looking for young young girls to straf, and it's not like they can do morethan one round . Shameless people. Next time, only female reps should be sent for such international events.

theV0ice:


Lack of Common sense is your problem indeed. How does all you wrote up there tally with your assertion that buhari caused it?

This is the same thing EFCC under Buhari has been doing on pages of newspapers and on Internet, convicting people without invitation or fair trial which is a bad precedence.

Buhari taught them how to play on the intelligence of Nigerians and here you have it.

MadamExcellency:



This is the same way EFCC under Buhari has been doing on pages of newspapers and on Internet, convicting people without invitation or fair trial which is a bad precedence.

Buhari taught them how to play on the intelligence of Nigerians and here you have it.

So EFCC being active in the media is the reason why USA cancelled the visa of our randy reps?

Did GEJ calling boko haram his siblings also influence USA backing out of cooperating with Nigeria over attacking boko haram?

modath:



Only God knows how you function in real life with this kind of off key logic..

You are so used to defending corrupt practices, filled with anti Buhari sentiments that you have become blunted & can no longer deduce between right and wrong!!

They are lucky they traveled on diplomatic passports, if they had been served the full course of the law, and have gotten jail term or deportation..you wouldn't be here yarning dust!!

You are evil for trying to demean my personality. I am a Princess and was groomed from birth on matters concerning justice and fair hearing hence I am different and believes none is guilty without fair hearing.