The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has opened up about the alleged sexual harassment charges laid against some Nigerian lawmakers.
Dogara asked the American government to provide foolproof evidence that three Nigerian lawmakers indeed committed sexual crimes.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Mr Dogara commented on the allegations that has sparked a debate on social media:
“He who alleges must prove. That’s the law,” he said.
“As we speak no evidence has been put forward other than the letter sent to my office and copied to many others.” He further stated.
“Together with the US Embassy in Nigeria we will get to the bottom of this matter and until then let’s not be judgmental.”
“Under our laws an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty and he enjoys the benefit of any doubt.”
“Social media trial and conviction of members alleged to have committed the offence is taking up arms against our laws,” Dogara said.
Mohammed Gololo (APC-Bauchi State) was accused of grabbing a hotel maid and soliciting sex, while two others, Samuel Ikon (PDP-Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC-Benue State) allegedly requested a car park attendant to help them arrange the services of prostitutes during a visit to Cleveland for the International Visitor Leadership Programme.
The three lawmakers have since denied the allegations separately, describing them as totally false and disgraceful.
Leave a Reply