Dogara to US: You must prove sex, rape allegations against Reps

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has challenged the United States of America to prove its allegations that three members of the House were involved in soliciting for sex and attempted rape while in the US.
The US Embassy in Nigeria had in a letter to Dogara alleged that three members of the House – Rep. Mohammed Gololo (Bauchi), Rep. Samuel Ikon (Akwa Ibom) and Rep. Mark Gbillah ( Benue) – had during a visit to the US committed the crimes.
In the letter signed by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, the Reps, who were in the United States for an International Visitor Leadership Programme held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio, were said to have behaved in unacceptable manner.
However, Dogara in a tweet on Saturday said the United States must prove the allegation.
He tweeted: “He who alleges must prove. That’s the law.”
In further comments on the social media in the early hours of Saturday on the allegations, Dogara urged Nigerians to stop passing comments on the issue but wait for the outcome of investigation.
A statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, said Dogara urged Nigerians to refrain from passing judgment and wait for the outcome of the investigation by the parliament.
According to him: “Judgment can only be passed when an allegation is proven.”
Dogara maintained that as ambassadors of the House and indeed the entire country, the members in the middle of the scandal would have known not to bring dishonour to the institution they represent.
He vowed that the House would conduct an investigation into allegations, stating: “Together with the US Embassy in Nigeria, we will get to the bottom of this matter.”
The speaker further explained that apart from the letter, no evidence had been forwarded to his office and that there can be no conviction without a trial.
He also indicated that the lawmakers have said that they are prepared to defend themselves at their own cost.
Speaking on the attempted rape allegation, the Speaker said it was not alluded to in the letter he received.
He said: “We await the result of the investigation into the matter.”