TheCable

The family of Melojuekun Barakat, a teenager allegedly sexually harassed by Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, Ogun commissioner for environment, has withdrawn the allegation.

The 16-year-old girl is said to be a student of Victory Model College in Ogun waterside local government area of the state.

In a viral video, the underage girl alleged that the commissioner lured her into his house and attempted to rape her.

She said her screaming forced the commissioner to stop after which he offered her N2,000 to bury the issue.

But in a video, Melojuekun Adesola Mansur, a man who identified himself as Barakat’s father, said the family would love to lay the matter to rest.

He expressed gratitude to the media, the international community and concerned Nigerians for their support since the incident was first reported.

Mansur said there are some “misconceptions and misunderstanding” between his daughter and the commissioner.

He said he no longer has interest in the case and that Nigerians should support him by laying the matter to rest.

“I want to thank the media for their doggedness and aggressive support to make sure that justice prevails. I am also using this opportunity to thank the international community, well meaning Nigerians and Ogun state indigenes that showed their love to this matter,” he said.

“However, I understand there are some misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the honorable commissioner. Having discovered this, I deem it fit to come to the public and inform Nigerians and the international community that this matter should be allowed to be laid to rest.

“As a father to Barakat, I am using this opportunity as well to appeal to Nigerians and international community and the media that I don’t have interest in this matter again. I am withdrawing my case and I want them to support me the same way they did at the beginning of this matter.”

Barakat, in a similar video, also appealed to Nigerians to allow the matter be laid to rest.

She attributed the reason to “few misconceptions and misunderstanding” between her and the commissioner.

“My name is Melojuekun Barakat. You can recall that I was the lady in the viral video on sexual harassment by the commissioner for environment in Ogun state. I am using this opportunity to thank all meaningful Nigerians that showed their support and love towards this matter,” she said.

“I want you to know that there were few misconceptions and misunderstanding between I and the commissioner. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest.”

Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, had ordered the suspension of the commissioner over the allegation.