Headlines
Sex Scandal: Ogun Commissioner Claims Innocence As Govt Suspends Him
The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the suspension of the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, over alleged sexual harassment of a 16-year-old girl.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, announced the suspension order on Sunday, saying the commissioner would remain suspended until the conclusion of investigation into the matter.
The SSG said the suspension was to enable Abudu-Balogun cooperate fully with the police on their investigations.
He directed the commissioner to hand over to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
The statement read: “Whilst taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by the commissioner, 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 Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration’s commitment 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.”
The Ogun State Police Command said on Saturday that it has commenced investigation into the alleged sexual harassment of the girl, Barakat Melojuekun, by the commissioner.
The spokesman of the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the case is being investigated by the Area Commander of Ogbere and its outcome would be made public.
Abudu-Balogun, however, denied the allegation in a statement on same day.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a purported video circulating on social media of a girl alleging that I attempted to sexually harass her
“Let it be noted that in my entire life and political career, I have assisted many youths to secure jobs, some are working with me in my different businesses.
“On this said day, the girl was brought to my house by one of my loyalists who is her uncle, to assist her to get a job as a Computer Operator at the ICT Centre I facilitated while I was serving as a member of the House of Representatives years back which has been moribund.
“But I am about to rehabilitate the centre in order to empower more youths in our local government.
“I met her at my sitting room for a few minutes where many of my loyalists are, people that came to visit me for the New Year. I chatted with the lady for 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 harass 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 tele-guided video leading the lady on what to say to implicate me. This is purely a political blackmail by my adversaries.”
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
