The Governor of Ogun State Dapo Abiodun has suspended the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into an allegation of sexual harassment of a 16-year old Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
Barakat Melojuekun who is secondary school final year student had accused Abudu-Balogun of subjecting her to sexual harassment in his house, where she had gone to look for a job.
Mayowa, an indigene of Ogun Waterside Local Government, narrated how the Commissioner had requested for her phone number at the NIMC registration center in Ibiade, through a teacher she identified as Mr Austin on December 29, 2020.
Narrating her ordeal in a video released, Mayawo said “On December 31, 2020, Mr Lasisi Mayor went to my grandparents and told them that someone needed a computer operator. He asked if I could operate a computer and I said yes. He said I should go and change my clothes and that I was going to meet someone who needed a computer operator.
“On getting to Honourable Abudu’s house at Ita Otu, he said I should sit down inside the car and that I must not get down. Then a lady, named Mariam Eniola from Ita Otu, came to take me to one living room.
“Then Mr Austin entered and asked why I did not pick my phone the day before. I answered that I was not with my phone. He then took me to a room inside the honourable’s house.”
She said Austin left the room immediately when the commissioner entered, leaving her alone with Abudu-Balogun who instantly locked the door and sexually harassed her.
Though the commissioner had denied the allegation in a statement describing the video as “tele-guided” and claimed that the minor was being used to implicate him but the state government has decided to suspend him pending the conclusion of the investigation.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, said the suspension of the Commissioner is to enable him to cooperate fully with the independent investigation being carried out by the Police.
“Whilst taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by 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 Prince Dapo Abiodun Administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved”, the statement continued.
The government assures the public that it will do everything to ensure that justice is served in this case.
In the meantime, the suspended Commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, the statement concluded.
