Ogun commissioner suspended over alleged sexual harassment

Ogun State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, from office over alleged sexual harassment of a 16-year-old secondary school girl.

The state government said in a statement that the suspension would subsist until the conclusion of an independent investigation into the allegation.

The girl, Barakat Melojuekun, in video that went viral had accused Abudu-Balogun of sexual harassment.

The statement issued on Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, said the suspension of the commissioner was to enable him to cooperate with the independent investigation being carried out by the police.

The statement read in part, “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 government assures the public that it will do everything to ensure that justice is served in this case.”

The commissioner was directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment.