The Speaker House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara has stated that there is no evidence against the three members of the lower legislative chamber accused of attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes in the United States yet.
Dogara, apparently in response to accusations by social media mobs, prominent among is Kayode Ogundamisi, who accused him of shielding his co-lawmakers, tweeted via his handle @SpeakerDogara
The three lawmakers accused are Messrs Samuel Okon Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), who chairs the committee on Inter-parliamentary Affairs, Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), deputy chairman of committee on power and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue), deputy chairman of the committee on petroleum resources (upstream).
Please follow the conversation as excerpted from twitter.
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
Under our laws an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty and he enjoys the benefit of any doubt 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
Under our laws an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty and he enjoys the benefit of any doubt 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
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
Tell me who has ever been convicted in the US without a trial.I should care cos someone is watching?What's improper? https://t.co/XVmseSRrNI— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) 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
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
I m more than awfully embarrassed at the moment. https://t.co/3dnbZwqA21— 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
They have said so. They are prepared to do it at their own cost. https://t.co/0qDa4DJuaF— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016
My position is very neutral. Cautioning against social media trial nd conviction is taking sides? https://t.co/hgqjqR7AsR— Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara (@SpeakerDogara) June 18, 2016