Sex Scandal: Speaker Dogara Dares the US Govt to Prove Allegations Against Reps

Sex Scandal: Speaker Dogara Dares the US Govt to Prove Allegations Against Reps

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has taken to Twitter to challenge the US Government to prove the recent allegations made against the house members.

“He who alleges must prove,” the Speaker said during a session with Nigerians on Twitter, adding, “That is the law.”

Recall that James Entwistle, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria wrote a petition to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, stating that some members of the House of the Reps who recently visited the United States on an official programme, attempted to rape a hotel housekeeper, and that they also solicited for prostitutes.

The named members are Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

You can read up the story here.

Now, Dogara is making a strong stand for his members, asserting that no action will be taken against them here in Nigeria, except the the United States Government provides CCTV clips to confirm the allegation.

Also, he dismissed a Twitter user who told him that the US Government is ‘watching’.

“I really don’t care who is watching,” Dogara said. “We have a standard under Law and by my oath of office that’s what I ll uphold.”

See the tweets:

@okweai If you aren't caught soliciting and no CCTV footage that shows, the other is ur word against mine. CC: @SpeakerDogara @bukolasaraki

— Okai (@okweai) June 18, 2016

Brilliant.As disconcerting as d allegation is,it's still an allegation.Judgment can only be passed when it's proven https://t.co/amXsY4FCmd

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

Social media trial and conviction of members alleged to have committed d offence is taking up arms against our laws https://t.co/amXsY4FCmd

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

The Members are Ambassadors of d House and indeed Nigeria when they were in d US they mustn't bring dishonour to us https://t.co/amXsY4FCmd

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

No Ambassador brings dishonour to his home country without some dire consequences.This all members know. https://t.co/amXsY4FCmd

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

Together with d US Embassy in Nigeria we ll get to d bottom of this matter and until then let's not be judgmental https://t.co/amXsY4FCmd

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

This assertion is at best preposterous until we see the CCT footage. If you have it please send it to us. https://t.co/gJGE5odg8J

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

And to the question from Twitter user who asked that the accused members be suspended, the Speaker said he doesn’t care what America thinks;

@SpeakerDogara Suspend them 1st if u want to be taken seriously, if not, nothing will come out from d probe. USA is watching u guys

— Woye (@woye1) June 18, 2016

I really don't care who is watching. We have a standard under Law and by my oath of office that's what I ll uphold https://t.co/NsdR50zOMg

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

As we speak no evidence has been put forward other than the letter sent to my office and copied to many others. https://t.co/kRBDGZ88jj

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

@SpeakerDogara you really sound more defensive and I'm sure nothing will come out of this case. https://t.co/ywUESqDeKT

— Sainty Martins (@SaintyMartins) June 18, 2016

What's more offensive, to be defensive or convict people based on an allegation? Is that the standard in the US? https://t.co/QovYWUDnT9

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

Interesting. He can convict them if he likes but for us we must see the evidence cos that's what the law says. https://t.co/NijQvjF0Y3

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

He who alleges must prove. That's the law. https://t.co/UxGC69dSnC

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

.@SpeakerDogara I did not convict the @HouseNGR members. I simply asked if U received US letter about the #rape issue. Now I know you got it

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) June 18, 2016

I got a letter from US Ambassador but there's no reference to any attempted rape.That's a social media creation. https://t.co/LHcax2NBC9

— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016

@SpeakerDogara @okweai @bukolasaraki when do house become his own investigator and judge and the image maker. US do not just make noise

— seyi opeolu ajayi (@evidencebyme) June 18, 2016