Controversy: Alleged Sexual Harassment Victim, Father Withdraw Case Against Ogun Commissioner
The allegation of sexual harassment against Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, the suspended Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, has taken a new twist as both the alleged victim and her father announced in separate videos that they “want the matter to rest”.
HumAngle reports that 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun accused Abudu-Balogun of sexually harassing her in his private residence in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
Barakat had in a viral video accused the Commissioner of sexually harassing her in his house by touching her breasts while reciting incantations.
And in a swift reaction the accusation, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State announced on Sunday the suspension of the commissioner, “until independent investigations are concluded by the police.
Meanwhile, in a viral video on social media on Monday, Adesola Melojuekun, the father of Barakat, said he was not interested in making a case with the commissioner.
Although he did not refute the claims made by his daughter nor apologize to the commissioner, he appreciated members of the public for their concern and asked that “the matter be laid to rest”.
“I discovered that there were a few misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the Commissioner. Having discovered this, I deem it fit to inform the public and the international community that this matter should be laid to rest,” Melojuekun pleaded.
“As the father to Melojuekun Barakat, I want to appeal to the public, the international community and the media that I don’t have an interest in this matter again. I am withdrawing my case and I want them to support me the same way they did in the beginning of this matter,” he added.
In a separate video, Barakat made a similar plea to the public, saying there were misunderstandings between her and the commissioner.
“I am the girl in the viral video on sexual harassment by the commissioner for environment, Mr Abiodun Abudu-Balogun. I am using this opportunity to thank all meaningful Nigerians that showed their support to this matter,” Barakat said in the video.
“I want you to know that there were few misconceptions and misunderstanding between I and the commissioner.”
“I now want to use this opportunity to appeal to all meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest,” she pleaded.
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