Barakat Melojuekun, the 16-year-old girl who alleged Abiodun Abdul-Balogun, Ogun State environment commissioner, was sexually harassing her has withdrawn the case.
Last weekend, Miss Melojuekun accused Mr Abdul-Balogun of tricking her on the pretext of giving her a job before harassing her sexually.
The development led to the suspension of the commissioner yesterday by the Ogun State government to avail him cooperate with the police pending the conclusion of investigations.
But her father, Adesola Melojuekun, alongside his daughter appeared in separate video clips today asking Nigerians to let the matter rest as they were no longer interested in pursuing the matter with the police.
Miss Melojuekun explained that what transpired between her and the commissioner was a misconceptions and misunderstandings.
“You can recall that I was the young lady in the viral video about sexual harassment by the Commissioner for the 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.
“And I want you to know that there are a few misconceptions and misunderstandings between I and the commissioner. I now want to use this opportunity to appeal to meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest. Thanks,” the teenager added.
On his part, her father, Mr Melojuekun, made similar explanations, saying he was no longer interested in pursuing the matter to conclusion.
“I want to thank the media for their doggedness and aggressive support to make sure that justice is done. I also thank the international community and well-meaning Nigerians who showed their love and support towards this matter,” he said.
“I discovered that there were a few misconceptions and misunderstandings along the line between my daughter and the honourable commissioner. Having discovered this, I deemed it fit to call Nigerians and the international community that this matter should be allowed to be laid to rest.
“As the father of Barakat, I appeal to Nigerians and the international community and media too that I don’t have interest in this matter again. I am withdrawing my case and I want them as well to support me the same way they did at the beginning of the matter. I am very grateful for the show of love and support,” her dad added.
In the first video, Barakat, a Senior Secondary School 3 student, had narrated how the commissioner allegedly caressed her body, while offering her money.
“On December 31, one Mr Lasisi came to my grandparents in the area, and said he knew someone who needed a computer operator and asked if I knew how to operate a computer. I said yes. He now said I should get dressed and we should go together to the place,” she narrated.
“When we got there, it was the honourable’s house. A lady, Maryam Odunnuga, came to pick me up and took me to a living room. Mr Austin now came out and asked me to come over to a room. The honourable now came inside and Mr Austin went outside immediately.
“The honourable locked the door instantly and put the key in his pocket. So, he now moved close to me and asked for the name of my school. He asked for the amount of money I was paying as school fees. I replied by saying N30,000. He asked me who was paying my school fees, I told him my daddy. He now asked why didn’t I think of starting a business before going to school.
“I said I wanted to go to a higher institution. He now said if I would need some money, how much would I need? I said, any amount. He said I should state an amount. He now moved closer and pressed (fondled) my breasts. So, I moved his hand away. He now asked that won’t I cooperate? He now started pressing (fondling) my breasts and my body.
“I was struggling to free myself from him. So, he now started reciting some incantations. He wanted to touch my head. I now moved his hand away so that he would not touch my head. He now wanted to force me inside his bathroom.
“But I struggled with him and started shouting. He did not want people around his house to know what was going on. He now left me and gave him four, N500 notes, which is N2,000 as my transport, but I rejected the money.
“He said if I didn’t collect the money, he would not let me go. So, I collected it and he now asked Austin to drop me back in our house. I want Nigerians to help me to take up this matter and charge against him (sic). This has never happened to me in my life. Right now, I am so shocked. I have never been harassed like that in my life,” the teenager added.
