16-year-old girl, Barakat Melojuekun, who over the weekend accused the Ogun state Commissioner of Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, of sexually assaulting her, has withdrawn from the case.
Her father, Adesola Melojuekun, also announced he is withdrawing from the case.
Barakat in her earlier released viral video alleged that the commissioner connived with her uncle and a teacher from another secondary school to lure her to his house, where he allegedly sexually harassed her by touching her breasts. On Sunday, January 3, the Ogun state government announced the suspension of the Commissioner until an investigation into the allegation is completed. Read here.
However in a new video posted today January 4, Barakat said there were misunderstandings between her and the commissioner.
“I am the girl in the viral video on sexual harassment by the commissioner for environment, Mr Abiodun Abudu-Balogun. I am using this opportunity to thank all meaningful Nigerians that showed their support to this matter.
I want you to know that there were few misconceptions and misunderstanding between I and the commissioner.
I now want to use this opportunity to appeal to all meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest” she said
In a separate video, Adesola said he was not interested in making a case with the commissioner. Although he did not refute the claims made by his daughter nor apologize to the commissioner, he appreciated members of the public for their concern and asked that “the matter be laid to rest”.
“I discovered that there were a few misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the Commissioner. 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 an interest in this matter again. I am withdrawing my case and I want them to support me the same way they did in the beginning of this matter,” he said
Watch the new videos they shared below.
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