Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Abiodun
Abudu-Balogun.
The Ogun State government has suspended the Commissioner
for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun.
Mr Abudu-Balogun was suspended from office over an allegation of
sexual harassment of a 16-year-old girl identified as Barakat
Mayowa Melojuekun.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Secretary to
the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, announced the suspension
of the commissioner pending the conclusion of an independent
investigation into the allegation.
He explained that the state government decided to suspend
Abudu-Balogun to enable him to cooperate fully with the independent
investigation being carried out by the police.
“Whilst taking cognisance of the principle of a suspect being
presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement
issued by Honourable Abudu-Balogun denying the allegation, as a
government with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and indeed
any criminality, the suspension is a further demonstration of the
commitment of Dapo Abiodun administration to fairness, equity,
justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved,” the
statement read.
Talabi assured the residents that the stated government would do
everything necessary to ensure that justice was served in the
case.
He disclosed that the suspended commissioner has been directed
to hand over to the Permanent Secretary at the State Ministry of
Environment.
Barakat, a secondary school student in her final year, had
accused the suspended commissioner of attempting to rape her.
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She said she met the commissioner on Tuesday last week, but the
incident occurred on New Year’s Eve.
The victim said she was waiting for a motorcycle to convey her
to the office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
to register for the National Identification Number (NIN).
While waiting at a park in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area,
the commissioner who was said to be driving stopped the car and
offered her a lift, but she declined.
Barakat alleged that she had been receiving calls from an
unknown person who claimed to be the commissioner’s aide and two
days later, she was reportedly taken to Abudu-Balogun’s residence
by her uncle.
Although she stated that her uncle might be unaware of the
commissioner’s intention as he took her to his house to operate a
computer, she claimed she was lured to his bedroom.
The victim said she was left alone and allowed to go after she
shouted at the top of her voice, and later narrated her ordeal to
her parents who reported the case at the police station.
The Area Commander of Police in Abigi is said to be handling the
case and the police have promised to make the outcome of police
public.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2021/01/04/ogun-govt-suspends-commissioner-over-alleged-sexual-harassment/