The Ogun State police has insisted on intensifying investigation into the sexual harassment allegation against the State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, despite the decision of the victim’s family to withdraw the case.
This is coming hours after the family of Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun, a 16-year-old girl, who accused the Ogun State Commissioner of sexual harassment withdrew the allegation.
In a viral video captured online, the victim’s father, Monsuru Melojuejun expressed his desire to withdraw the case against the commissioner.
Speaking in the video, Mr Melojuejun said he is no more interested in taking up the matter, he also appealed to Nigerians and international community and the media to support him by laying the matter to rest.
He said:“I am the biological father to Melojuekun Barakat, who was in the news recently about a sexual harassment between her and the current Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State in person of Hon Abiodun Abudu-Balogun.
“I want to thank the media for their doggedness and aggressive support to make sure justice prevail. I am using this opportunity to also thank the international community, well-meaning Nigerians and all Ogun State indigenes that showed their love and encouragement to this matter.”
He attributed the reason to “few misconceptions and misunderstanding” along the line in the alleged case of sexual harassment proffered against the commissioner.
“Sincerely I discovered that there were some misconceptions and misunderstanding along the line between my daughter and the Hon Commissioner. Having discovered this, I deemed it fit to come to the public and inform Nigerians and international community that this matter should be allowed to lay to rest.
“As a father to Melojuekun Barakat, I am using this opportunity as well to appeal to all Nigerians and international community and the media too that I don’t have interest in this matter again.
“I am withdrawing my case and want them as well to support me the same way they did in the beginning of this matter,” he concluded.
Also speaking in the video, the victim, Ms Barakat Melojuekun, thanked Nigerians for their support and love towards the matter.
She however said “I want you to know that there were few misconceptions and misunderstanding between I and the commissioner. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest.”
Recall that the Ogun State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Environment from office over alleged sexual harassment of a Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
The State Government said that the suspension from office would last pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the allegation.
The suspension comes a few days after the Senior Secondary School 3 reported how the commissioner allegedly lured her into his house and attempted to rape her.
Barakat stated that the sexual harassment occurred on Thursday, December 31, in the commissioner’s apartment.
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