Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, has denied assaulting any one as reported in a viral video circulating on social media.
A 16-year-old secondary school student identified as Barakat Mayowa in the video which went viral on January 1, alleged that the commissioner had sexually harassed her when she visited his home on December 31, 2020, in Ibiade town, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
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The Commissioner has however in a statement he personally signed on Saturday described the allegation as a lie and ‘political blackmail’ from his adversaries.
His statement reads:
‘On this said day, the girl was brought to my house by one of my loyalists who is her uncle, to assist her get a job as a Computer Operator at the ICT Centre I facilitated while I was serving as a member of House of Representatives years back, which has been moribund but I am about to rehabilitate in order to empower more youths in our local government.
‘I met her at my sitting room for few minutes where many of my loyalists were, people that came to visit me for the New Year. I chatted with the lady for a few minutes and as part of my usual gesture, I gave her some amount of money for her transportation.
‘A day after, I was informed by some people that I have been alleged to have attempted to sexually harrass the girl and I should invite the family for a meeting so as to settle the matter amicably. It was after my refusal to yield to their threats that they went ahead to make a teleguided video leading the lady on what to say to implicate me. This is purely political blackmail by my adversaries.
‘Let me state emphatically that I never attempted to sexually harass anyone. I, therefore, plead with my fans and loyalists to be calm and not engage anyone on the said matter as it is being handled by the police and my legal team.’
