The United States Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday declined to confirm news reports that James Entwistle, the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, would appear before a committee set up to investigate alleged sexual misconduct by three federal lawmakers.
The House had set up the committee, headed by Nicholas Ossai, after Mr. Entwistle’s petition, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, was leaked to the New Telegraph Newspapers in June.
The members, Samuel Ikon, Mohammed Gololo and Mark Gbillah, all denied they sought to patronise prostitutes or attempted to rape hotel housekeeper as alleged by Mr. Entwistle in his petition and demanded a thorough investigation.
But Sean McIntosh, the spokesman for the embassy, said he could not confirm Mr. Entwistle’s appearance.
“We do not comment on private diplomatic correspondence,” Mr. McIntosh said in an email to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday.
But Mr. Ossai said since Mr. Entwistle was formerly invited, it’s only normal for lawmakers to expect him to appear before the committee to substantiate the allegations.
“We have extended an invitation to him and we hope he honoured that,” Mr. Ossai told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday.
Mr. Ossai said he could not confirm if Mr. Entwistle would be coming with s video footage that would establish the allegations before members.
Mr. Gbillah however said he was confident Mr. Entwistle would not be coming with a video evidence because “nothing of such exists.”
“The media should tread very cautiously. I don’t know who told you he has video evidence. He’s supposed to come and give evidence that he has.
“At no point did the House committee announced that he was coming with video evidence.
“There’s no evidence anywhere, you can quote me on that.
“Maybe when you see that there’s no evidence you’ll now have regard for the fact that there are other Nigerians that are not as irresponsible as many people think that Nigerians are.
“Would they create what does not exist? I dare them to bring out any evidence,” Mr. Gbillah said.
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