Vanguard News
Sexual harassment: Police conclude investigation on suspended Commissioner
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By James Ogunnaike
ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Command of Nigeria Police said it has concluded the interrogation of the suspended Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, who was accused of sexual harassment by a teenager, Barakat Melojuekun.
Vanguard reliably gathered that Abudu-Balogun was grilled by the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun after the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
It would be recalled that the 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun had in a viral video alleged that Abudu-Balogun sexually harassed her by forcefully touching her breasts, caressing her and saying some incantations with an attempt to place his hand on her head.
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Despite the decision of the family of 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun to drop charges against the suspended Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abdul-Balogun, who allegedly attempted to rape her, some groups have insisted that Governor Dapo Abiodun and the state police command must ensure that the matter is not covered up.
The two groups – the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) and the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) – made their position known in separate statements seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
This newspaper reported how the commissioner was accused of attempting to rape a secondary school student in his apartment on December 31, 2020.
Those who took time to see the video where 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun and her father, Adesola, pleaded with Nigerians to forget the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abdul Balogun, would notice a common phrase in their speeches. Both father and daughter said they just realised “few misconceptions and misunderstanding” and would therefore “want Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest.”
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For the benefit of those who didn’t see the video, let me just recap. After introducing herself, Barakat said: “You can recall that I was the young lady in a viral video about sexual harassment by commissioner for environment in Ogun State. I am using this opportunity to thank all Nigerians that show their love and support towards the matter and I want you to know that there were few misconceptions and misunderstanding between I and the commissioner. And I now want to use this opportunity to appeal
Sexual Harassment: Who Is Making This Ogun Schoolgirl Sing A New Song? By Olabisi Deji-Folutile
Both father and daughter said they just realised “few misconceptions and misunderstanding” and would therefore “want Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest.”
by Olabisi Deji-Folutile
Jan 07, 2021
Those who took time to see the video where 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun and her father, Adesola, pleaded with Nigerians to forget the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abdul Balogun, would notice a common phrase in their speeches. Both father and daughter said they just realised “few misconceptions and misunderstanding” and would therefore “want Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest.”