Ogun State Govt Investigates, Suspends Commissioner, Abudu-Balogun Over Sexual Harassment Scandal

Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, the commissioner for Environment in Ogun State and onetime member of the House of Representatives, who is currently enmeshed in a sexual harassment scandal involving a teenage girl, has been suspended by the State Government.

BIGPEN understands Abudu-Balogun, is being allegedly accused by one Melojuekun Barakat, a 16-year-old student of Victory Model College, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State, of sexually harassing her in his private residence in Ita-Otu area of the state.

The State Government announced Abiodun Abudu-Balogun suspension on Sunday over an allegation of sexual harassment of a 16-year-old girl.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, who made the announcement in a statement, the suspension of the commissioner pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the allegation.

He explained that the state government decided to suspend Abudu-Balogun to enable him to cooperate fully with the independent investigation being carried out by the police.

“Whilst taking cognisance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Honourable 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 Dapo Abiodun administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved,” the statement read.

Talabi assured the residents that the stated government would do everything necessary to ensure that justice was served in the case.

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He disclosed that the suspended commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary at the State Ministry of Environment.