FIDA Seeks Prosecution Of Ekiti Lawmaker Over Alleged Assault, Sexual Harassment
The Ekiti State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of a member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Dare Pelemo, for allegedly harassing and physically assaulting a widow, Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi sexually.
Mrs. Ilesanmi, who accused the lawmaker, representing Ekiti East Constituency 2, of fondling her breasts on September 6 at the Assembly complex said she raised alarm and condemned the alleged act but he (Pelemo) later allegedly mobilised thugs to beat her up.
She added that the hoodlums gave her the beating of her life and tore her clothes at the office of the Majority Leader, Mr. Tunji Akinyele, where she had gone to lodge a complaint on the alleged sexual harassment.
But reacting to the allegation, Pelemo said that he never touched the woman during the altercation, saying that it was a
calculated attempt to destroy his reputation and frame him up.
Ekiti FIDA legal officer, Mrs. Kemi Atitebi, disclosed on Tuesday that the body received a complaint of sexual harassment and assault of Mrs. Ilesanmi against Pelemo but the legislator shunned the invitation to come and defend himself against the allegation.
According to her, “FIDA Ekiti received the complaint of sexual harassment and assault against Hon. Dare Pelemo and the complainant is Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi who alleged that she was assaulted and stripped naked right in the premises of the Assembly complex.
“FIDA wrote a letter to invite the respondent for us to hear his own side of the story and to mediate in the matter.
“The woman is a widow and mother of children and her dignity has been violated for the fact that she was stripped naked. FIDA strongly condemns any form of assault against women in the state.
Narrating her ordeal, the victim, Mrs. Ilesanmi said: “I came to visit the honourable member representing my constituency, Hon. Samuel Omotoso but I met his absence.
“On my way out, I met Hon. Dare Pelemo and we exchanged pleasantries. Immediately, he fondled my breasts and I asked him what was the meaning of that, I am a married woman for that matter and I don’t like how he touched my breast.
“He now said that I am an enemy of government, that I am not supposed to come to the Assembly. I now asked him that, is that the reason why you are touching my breasts, a married woman for that matter? I challenged him that Pelemo, that one is too much for you.
“I went to report the matter to Hon. Akinyele and I met the Clerk in Hon. Akinyele’s office with two other visitors. He was on phone but I waited. Before I knew what was happening, Pelemo came in with some miscreants and they started beating me, destroying things in that office, asking what I was doing in the House of Assembly complex, that I am not supposed to be there, that I I’m an enemy of government.”
Mrs. Ilesanmi’s lawyer, Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye said that he has forwarded a petition on the assault and sexual harassment of his client to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Chafe.
