US ambassador absent as reps postpone ‘sex scandal’ hearing

James Entwistle, the outgoing United States (US) ambassador to Nigeria, was not available on Thursday to provide video evidence of sexual misconduct against three members of the federal house of representatives.

Entwistle, who did not show up to the investigative hearing by the house joint committees of ethics and privileges and foreign affairs, was meant to provide evidence against the accused lawmakers.

The three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct are Mohammed Gololo, Samuel Ikon and Mark Gbillah.

Ossai Ossai, chairman of the joint committees, explained that Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs and Entwistle were meant to appear together at the hearing.

Onyema wrote a letter to the committee to plead that he was away for an African Union (AU) summit holding in Kigali, Rwanda.

He asked the committee to put the hearing at a later date, and promised to appear.

Ossai further expressed optimism that Onyeama and Entwistle would show up on July 20, the new date of the hearing, to give their own accounts regarding the sexual misconduct allegation levelled against the lawmakers.

Also speaking, Nnenna Ukeji, chairman, house committee on foreign affairs, said the diplomatic angle to the matter would be handled according to Vienna convention of 1961.

She also said the committee would seek guidance of the foreign affairs ministry where necessary.

This will be the second time that the committee will postpone the hearing.