metro
Sexual harassment: Victim withdraws case, Ogun police insist on investigation
Adesola Melojuekun, father of the 16-year-old girl who accused Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, of sexual harassment has withdrawn the case against the commissioner.
The girl, Barakat Melojuekun, has also come out to say she is longer interested in pursuing the case and pleads that the matter be laid to rest.
But the Ogun State police command said it would go ahead with the investigation, adding that the accusers could no longer withdraw the case.
Barakat, in a viral video on Saturday, January 2, 2021, alleged the commissioner sexually harassed her in his house by touching her breasts, caressing her, while reciting incantations.
Following the allegation, the state government in a statement on Sunday, January 3, 2021 signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, suspended the commissioner, pending outcome of the police investigation.
But few hours after the suspension, the 16-year-old accuser came out in another video to say she wanted the matter to be laid to rest.
She also joined her father to say she had no longer have interest in the case.
Her father also said he had discovered that “there were some misconception and misunderstanding along the line between my daughter and the Commissioner.
He said, “Having discovered this, I deem it fit to inform the public and the international community that this matter should be laid to rest.
“As the father to Melojuekun Barakat, I want to appeal to the public, the international community and the media that I don’t have interest in this matter again.”
But the state police command insisted on going ahead with the investigation.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, had ordered that the case be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department at the Police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The PPRO said despite that the victim’s family had officially withdrawn the case against the Commissioner, the command would go ahead with the case.
He said, “The father of the victim has no locus standi to tell the police that he’s no longer pressing charges against the commissioner because he is not our complainant.
“He is not the person that was directly involved in the case. The victim is his daughter and even the daughter herself cannot withdraw the case because she is underage.
“Secondly, the case is an offence committed against the state. So, they are no longer complainants; it is the Commissioner of Police versus the suspect (Abudu-Balogun).
“They are just witnesses in the case. So, the police are going on with investigations to confirm the authenticity of the claims.
“The CP has directed that the case should be transferred to the State CID for proper investigations, so their position is immaterial.
“We cannot conclude that the case will be charged to court until when we confirm that the offence was actually committed. If the offence was actually committed, we will not hesitate to charge it to court and see the case to a logical conclusion.”
metro
From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split
From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split
What began as one of Nigeria’s most glamorous society weddings in 2014 has reportedly unraveled into a tense legal showdown, marked by allegations, silence, and an escalating custody dispute.
When James Gana, son of elder statesman and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana, married Akwa Ibom royal figure Jessica Edet, the ceremony drew national attention. Political heavyweights, traditional rulers, and high society figures gathered in Akwa Ibom State to witness what many described as a symbolic union of influence and prestige.
More than a decade later, that image of unity has sharply faded.
Cracks Beneath the Surface
Multiple sources familiar with the situation indicate that the marriage had been under strain for some time before the situation escalated into formal legal action. While details remain closely guarded, insiders suggest that irreconcilable differences may have led to the breakdown.
It is alleged that James Gana filed for divorce, though official court documents have not been made public to confirm this claim.
Custody Battle Emerges
At the center of the dispute is the couple’s son, with both parties reportedly seeking custody. Legal observers note that such battles, especially among high-profile families, often become prolonged and emotionally charged.
Family law practitioners contacted by our correspondent explain that Nigerian courts typically prioritize the welfare of the child, but outcomes can vary depending on circumstances presented during proceedings.
Allegations and Social Media Noise
The case has also been complicated by a wave of unverified claims circulating online, including controversial accusations targeted at Jessica Edet. Terms and insinuations trending on social media have added a layer of public scrutiny, though none of these claims have been substantiated in court.
Observers warn that such narratives, often amplified without evidence, risk distorting public perception and inflaming an already delicate situation.
Silence from Key Parties
Efforts to obtain official statements from both James Gana and Jessica Edet have so far yielded no response. Associates close to the families have also declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the matter and ongoing legal proceedings.
From Celebration to Litigation
The reported breakdown of the marriage highlights how even the most celebrated unions can face private challenges far removed from public glamour. What was once a widely admired relationship has now become a subject of legal scrutiny and public speculation.
As proceedings continue, attention remains fixed on the courtroom, where the final outcome—particularly regarding custody—will likely define the next chapter of this high-profile separation.
From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split
metro
Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
At least three persons have been confirmed dead following a tragic motor accident along the notorious Onyeama Hills axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in Enugu.
The accident involved a black Toyota Sienna bus conveying journalists who were reportedly on an official assignment to Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state. Several occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Among those injured are Chimaroke Ugwu, a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority and Chairman of the NTA Chapel, alongside his cameraman, Jerry. Also affected are Kelechi Ehirim, a reporter with African Independent Television and Secretary of the Private Broadcast Chapel, as well as his cameraman, Ifeanyi Ogbodo.
The identities of the deceased victims were yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police were at the scene carrying out rescue operations and managing traffic to prevent further incidents.
The Onyeama Hills stretch of the expressway has long been regarded as a high-risk corridor due to its steep terrain and frequent record of accidents. Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
Further updates are expected as more details emerge.
Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
metro
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
Akure, Ondo State – In a brazen late-night raid, armed men abducted three health workers from a Primary Health Clinic in Ijebu, a suburb of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The security guard on duty, Olawale Yaya, told TVC News that the attackers executed the operation with alarming precision. According to him, the assailants arrived in a high-end SUV, which he identified as either a Toyota Venza or a Lexus. The vehicle was parked outside the clinic before the abduction.
“They took three staff members. The gunmen parked on the road. They came with an expensive jeep. It looks like a Toyota Venza or Lexus SUV. It’s not a small sedan car. It’s an SUV. It’s not a bus. It’s a high-end SUV. The gunmen even pressed a button to open the boot. After opening it, they forced the three people inside and drove off,” Yaya recounted.
The attackers specifically targeted staff members who were on duty, assaulting them before forcing them into the boot of their vehicle. The guard described the assailants’ familiarity with the vehicle as “disturbing,” noting how they effortlessly operated the automatic boot before making their escape.
Security agencies in the state have been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to locate the kidnapped health workers and apprehend the perpetrators.
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
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