Nigeria: 'No evidence of attempted rape against MPs'

Nigerian foreign minister says no evidence was presented against 3 lawmakers allegedly involved in sexual misconduct in US

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's foreign minister said Thursday that "no corroborative evidence" had been presented against the three lawmakers accused of attempted rape while on a trip to the U.S. in April.

In June, outgoing American ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle petitioned the Nigerian parliament speaker about three lawmakers he said had unlawfully solicited the help of hotel workers in Cleveland (in Ohio, U.S.) to find sexual partners. Entwistle claimed that one of the lawmakers “grabbed” a female attendant in his room in a rape attempt.

“The allegations are ambiguous. [Entwistle] did not present any evidence nor did he indicate that they have any corroborative evidence," Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama told an ethics committee of the country's House of Representatives in the capital city Abuja.

"He is not necessarily making accusations himself but was bringing it to the attention of the House. It does not conclude to guilt because no steps have been taken," the minister added, saying he had met with Entwistle regarding the matter.

He also quoted Entwistle as saying that the woman involved offered not to testify.

The Nigerian lawmakers - Mohammed Garba Gololo, Mark Gbillah, and Samuel Ikon - had denied any wrongdoing and challenged Washington to bring forward evidence. They insisted that they were being framed.

For the second time, Entwistle did not appear before the committee Thursday.

In his petition to the Nigerian parliament, Entwistle said the hotel management had reported the incident to the U.S. Department of State.

The lawmakers' entry visas were revoked.

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