The Kogi state police command has arrested Mr. Omoyele Fatoye, the Director of Child Welfare at the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development over an alleged sexual harassment of a 25-year-old lady identified simply as Blessing.
Mr Omoyele had reportedly tried taking advantage of the lady whose mother reportedly abandoned her day-old baby in a refuse dump in Otokiti area of Lokoja.
The state police said the Director of Child Welfare was caught red-handed in the act following a distress call they received.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ishaya Pam told newsmen:
“We caught him in the very act, with one of the children of the very woman whose child is in the custody of the government and under his care, being the director of child welfare in the ministry.
“I was coming from NUJ, then, I saw a missed call (unknown number to my phone). As DPO, I have to return missed calls. I called back and the person introduced herself as Blessing, a daughter to the mother of the abandoned child; that she is in distress, and in a house near Pati Guest Inn, here in Lokongoma, which is under my area of jurisdiction (AOR).
“Thereafter, I went there with two of my detectives around 21:45 hours (9.45pm). I saw Fatoye, the director and the girl, and we brought them to the station.
“We are investigating him on attempt to commit an offence and gross indecent assault, after which he will be charged to court.”
He further disclosed that Blessing was met with her blouse already removed by the director and hung in his wardrobe after the police team arrived.
On her own part, Blessing said to be a wrestler who was part of Kogi State contingent to last year’s National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State disclosed that Mr Omoyele began pestering her for sex after getting her number from her mother, Mary James.
“On the day they arrested my mother, when I got to state CID, I found out that they were going to the ministry of women affairs, and I went with her. It was there I saw him (director). He said that he needed my contact; if I wanted to see the child that I’ll see through him. I gave him my contact number.
“They asked what I will say about my mom, and I said after everything she’s going to the village (in Jos). The woman (commissioner) said that she was angry with my mom, and that the child is not hers; that any child you turn your back on, is no longer yours. That, it belongs to the government and we left.
“When we got to where we were to sign, my mother said that she was not signing. The man said that if she liked the baby, why she didn’t stay to look after her.
“I called my auntie in Jos, to speak with him, but he said that nobody is talking to anybody on phone; that he doesn’t want to hear anybody on the phone. He now brought out ink pad for thumbprint, saying if she did not append, she’ll not leave there. He had to force my mom to thumbprint, after which he said I should sign.
“He threatened that the whole blame for whatever happens will be on me. I had to sign the paper. He said that I should take my mother to anywhere I wanted.
“I traveled on the time they found the baby, and when I came back, I met all these on ground. My mother pleaded with me to forgive her; that she did not know why she did that, that she was afraid. And, I forgave her.
“He (director) was calling me, saying he wants to see me that anywhere I am, I should come over. That time, I was so angry. I told him I’ll get back to him, but I did not. He kept calling. Thursday he called me and I said I was at home, and he said that I should meet him at Pati Guest Inn, and when I got there he took me to his house, which is not far from there. I was scared.
“When I got there, he now started touching me; robbing my breasts. I now asked him how much he was going to give me. He then pulled my blouse and hung it in the wardrobe. I imagined myself. I asked, what is his problem?
“He now told me that anytime I want to see the baby, I can come through him after then that he is going to give me N2, 000 next week…that he doesn’t want to take me like a prostitute, but only wanted to keep me for himself anytime he wants me. I wanted to go but he ordered that I stayed till the next day. I now said well…
“After then, I called the DPO. He called back, but he said I should call the next day, and I now said that I am in trouble. After that, he asked of my location and I described the place to him” she said.
The Nation reported that the Director of Child Welfare who was brought out from the police cell where he slept overnight, prostrated over and over when ushered into the office of the DPO where he was pleading for forgiveness.
Commenting of the missing baby incident, the state commissioner for women affairs and social development, Bolanle Amupitan disclosed that they have already spent N100K in taking care of the baby which she said is their duty.
According to her, the mother of baby who is a widow with three children will be prosecuted after the police concludes its investigation.
LIB
