Sexual misconduct allegations against three members of house of representatives to be investigated!

Following days of media reports on sexual misconduct allegations against three members of the House of Representatives in Nigeria, one of the lawmakers, Mark Gbillah, has called for a detailed

public investigation into the matter.

The lawmaker stated that the allegations, made by the Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, did not occur. Mr Entwistle had lodged a formal complaint to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the issue. But the lawmaker emphasised that he believed the allegations were meant to tarnish the image of the members involved and the legislative house. He further demanded a detailed and open investigation into the matter.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, who has ordered an investigation into the matter, said that the allegations were not conclusive enough to decide that anyone is guilty. The allegations of sexual misconduct involving three members of the House of Representatives has continued to generate newspaper headlines.

In her contribution, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, appealed to Nigerians for caution on the matter. As the matter was not up for the debate, the Speaker of the House, rounding up, made it clear that the matter was a serious one.

The House has mandated a joint Committee of ethics and Foreign Affairs to investigate the matter and report back to the House. Their report is expected to guide the House on the position it will take on the matter.