After viral video, Gov Bello suspends Kogi commissioner accused of abuse

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, suspended the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Danga, for allegedly assaulting a lady over a Facebook post.

The governor also ordered an accelerated and detailed investigation into the matter.

The commissioner was accused of kidnapping, assaulting and raping a beauty queen simply identified as Elizabeth Oyeniyi before releasing her.

Oyeniyi claimed she was assaulted by the commissioner for advising him to be responsible to his family members.

The victim said when she saw a photo of the commissioner distributing relief materials for COVID-19, she put a post on social media and asked him to help his (commissioner) sister who is her friend, with the reference “charity begins at home.”

She said: “On March 29, the commissioner was shown my post and he ordered some boys to pick me up. They took me and his sister from Okene to Lokoja, a distance of about 70km, and the commissioner personally flogged us.

“He tore my clothes and made a video of my naked body, which he threatened to circulate while he kept me in his Lokoja residence. He asked me to make another post apologizing and countering my first post where I told him to assist his sister.

“He did not release me that day. In the night, he made sexual advances at me. And I allowed him to have sex with me because of fear. He only took me back to Okene the second day because they had an assignment in Okene.”

In a statement issued on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, the governor expressed shock at the incident.

The statement read: “Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who is an avowed advocate of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, especially within the boundaries of our dear state, is shocked by these accusations.”

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Govt moves to evacuate Nigerians abroad

“The state government reaffirms its unalloyed commitment to the protection of everyone from all forms of oppression, and will not tolerate violence against women or children under any form or guise.

“We give our word that if these allegations are proven, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

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