Adesola Melojuekun, the father of the Barakat Melojuekun, the underaged girl in the centre of a sexual harassment scandal involving the now suspended Ogun State Commissioner of Environment, Hon Abiodun Abudu-Balogun has said he is not pressing charges wants the matter to be laid to rest.
The father said in a video statement that has been circulating on Monday that he made the decision to rest the case because “there were few misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the honourable commissioner.”
“I am Melojuekun Adesola, the biological father to Melojuekun Barakat who is news recently about a sexual harassment between her and the current serving Commissioner of environment in Ogun state, in person of Honourable.
I want to thank the media for their doggedness and aggressive support to make sure that justice prevails. I am using this opportunity as well to thank the international community and well meaning Nigerians and all Ogun State indigenes that showed their love and support to this matter.
Sincerely, I discovered that there were few misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the honourable commissioner. And having discovered this, I deem it fit to come public and inform Nigerians and the international community that this matter should be allowed to be laid to rest.
As a father to Melojuekun Barakat, I am using this opportunity to as well appeal to Nigerians, international community and the media too that I don’t have interest in this matter again. I am withdrawing my case and I want them as well to support me the same way they did in the beginning of this matter.
Recall that the Ogun State government on Sunday suspended the Honourable commissioner from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment of the 16-year-old, Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
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 Hon. 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 assured 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 it over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment
