Guardian / Nigeria: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, says the three members of the House accused of sexual misconduct in the United States of America (USA), remain innocent until proven guilty.
In a statement issued by his spokesman Turaki Hassan, the Speaker expressed the view while responding to questions on the allegations on his Twitter handle, even as he urged Nigerians to refrain from passing judgment and wait for the outcome of investigation by the parliament.
“Judgment can only be passed when an allegation is proven,” the Speaker argued, stressing, as ambassadors of the House and indeed, the entire country, the members in the middle of the scandal would have known not to bring dishonour to the institution they represent.
Dogara vowed that the House would conduct an investigation into the allegations, assuring that “together with the US Embassy in Nigeria, we will get to the bottom of this matter.”
The Speaker further explained that apart from the letter, no evidence had been forwarded to his office, and that there can be no conviction without trial.
He also indicated that the lawmakers have said they are prepared to defend themselves at their own cost.
