Ekiti Lawmaker, Dare Pelemo Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman
Lekan Paul
Posted On Sep 26, 2017
A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly representing Ekiti East Constituency 2, Hon. Dare Pelemo, has been accused of sexual and physical assault on a mother of three, Mercy Ilesanmi.
Mrs. Ilesanmi, who spoke with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, said the brutality on her took place in the office of the Majority Leader, Mr. Tunji Akinyele, where she had gone to lodge a complaint on the alleged sexual harassment.
Mrs. Ilesanmi narrated her story thus: “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 do not suppose 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 with him. 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 am I doing in the House of Assembly complex that I am not supposed to be there, that I am an enemy of government.”
In related developement, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Ekiti has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the lawmaker.
Legal officer of FIDA, Mrs. Kemi Atitebi, said that the lawmaker allegedly foiled the mediating process by shunning the invitation to come and defend himself against the allegation.
“FIDA Ekiti received the complaint of sexual harassment and assault against Hon. Dare Pelemo and the complainant is Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi 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,” Atitebi said.
