The Ogun Government has suspended its Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, over allegation of sexual harassment of a 16 year- old girl, identified as Barakat Melojuekun.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi ,made this known on Sunday in a statement issued in Abeokuta.
Talabi said the suspension had become necessary to enable the police carry out an independent investigation on the matter.
Talabi noted that the suspect had denied the allegation and was also entitled to the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He, however, insisted that “the suspension is a further demonstration of the commitment of the Dapo Abiodun- led Administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved”.
“We take cognisance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Hon. Abudu-Balogun denying the allegation.
” We, however, run a government with a zero- tolerance for gender-based violence and indeed any criminality.
“The suspension is a further demonstration of the commitment of Prince Dapo Abiodun -led Administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved.
“The government assures the public that it will do everything to ensure that justice is served in this case.
“In the meantime, the suspended Commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment,” he said.
