Rape: Shocking as schoolgirl withdraws allegation against Ogun commissioner

There was a mild drama on Monday as the 16-year-old SS3 student, Barakat Melojuekun, who had accused the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abdul Balogun of rape recanted, asking Nigerians to lay the matter to rest.The schoolgirl and her father, in a video on Monday, thanked Nigerians for their support but said they had just realised some misconceptions that warranted the discontinuation of the case.Recall that the Ogun State Government had suspended the Commissioner pending when he would clear his name.The government had in a statement signed by Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, said Abdul-Balogun should vacate his office pending the conclusion of police investigation into the matter.“Whilst taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Hon. Abudu-Balogun denying the allegation, as a government with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and indeed any criminality, the suspension is a further demonstration of the commitment of Prince Dapo Abiodun Administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved.“In the meantime, the suspended Commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment,” the statement read.Barakat Melojuekun had accused the commissioner of fondling her breasts and reciting incantation to scare her.She said her screams forced Abdul-Balogun to jump off her and offer her N2,000 to shut her up.The police on January 1 invited the commissioner for interrogation and have continued to investigate the matter.However, it is not yet clear if the police would withdraw from the case with this latest development.