Former Ambassador to the United States, James Entwistle does not have any strong evidence of the alleged sexual misconduct against three members of the House of Representatives.

According to Minister of Foreign Relations, Geoffrey Onyeama, the US government has not pressed charges on the lawmakers and does not intend to.

This was against his revelation that the Ambassador told him that the Housekeeper, who claimed she was “grabbed” by one of the lawmakers, has refused to testify.

Onyeama, who spoke before the joint committee of Ethics and Privileges probing the allegation Thursday said the allegation is based on weak foundation, “defamatory and could lead to legal consequences.”

Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) who were part of 10 legislators invited by the US government for the International Visitor Leadership Program held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio were accused of sexual misconduct.

The Committee had deferred to the Minister who had missed two sessions because he was on official duty at the previous chosen dates.

Onyeama had previously interacted with Entwistle in the matter and the lawmakers had waited for the Entwistle’s side of the story from the Minister.

Enyeama said in his interaction with the former Ambassador, “he did not present any corroborative evidence and did not give the impression that there are any.

The minister said there were no testimonies. “The house keeper (who claimed a member grabbed her in the hotel) refused to testify further.”

Entwistle, he said was surprised that the House Keeper refused to testify.

He said the allegation “does not constitute guilt,” but that Entwistle felt an obligation to bring to the attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives the allegation.

But members of the committee wanted to know why the visas of the members accused were cancelled if they were not adjudged guilty.

He however gave an insight on what may have caused the visa cancellations and three years travel ban on the lawmakers, saying there was a meeting in United States Embassy in Abuja prior to the letter by the former Ambassador

But the affected lawmakers said at the meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Maria E. Brewer on 8th June, 2016 in which she informed the members about the incident for the first time she was rude and walked out on members twice.

While answering questions from Ossai Nicholas Ossai on why Entwistle would write a damaging letter to the Speaker when there was no conclusive proof, the minister said the letter was to brief the Speaker on the alleged misconduct so as to ensure that his people do not jeopardize the programme in the future.

Onyeama said the Ambassador breached protocol by writing to the Speaker, “the normal channel would be to come through the ministry,” he said.

The committee was however shocked to learn that though the event from which the allegation emanated was a government- to- government programme yet the Minister said his ministry was not aware, and also that the Nigerian Embassy in America was unaware.

Nnena Elendu- Ukeje advised the Minister to let all Diplomatic establishments and foreign government be aware of the laws governing Nigeria’s relationship with them.

The three accused member while rounding off their presentations Thursday said the allegation has affected them negatively and vowed that the issue will be legally pursued to a logical conclusion

Mark Gbillah specifically started his resolve to fight the issue in a court of law. He also dared the former Ambassador to present facts on the issue.