A file photo of the accused Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa, has been suspended by the Office of the Head of Service (HoS) following allegations of sexual harassment.
Head of Service Folashade Yemi-Esan announced the suspension, stating it would remain in effect pending the outcome of an investigation.
“The permanent secretary has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe by the committee set up,” a senior director in the OHCSF told our correspondent in Abuja.
The suspension follows a petition submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, against Lamuwa. The complainant, Simisola Ajayi, accused Lamuwa of serial sexual harassment, detailing her allegations in a petition filed by her lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
In a letter dated May 27, 2024, Tuggar expressed his concern over the serious nature of the allegations, writing, “I am compelled to write to inform you of a formal complaint against the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, on allegations of sexual harassment. Bearing in mind the gravity of the matter, I feel it necessary to draw your attention to it and ask that you handle it accordingly.”
An official familiar with the case revealed that a probe panel had been established following the receipt of Tuggar’s letter.
“Yes, the Head of Service has set up a committee to probe the whole matter. There are pieces of evidence, which will be tabled and witnesses who will also be invited to speak on the matter, so it is not a matter that will be swept under the carpet. The minister (Tuggar) is also very much interested in the outcome,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Ajayi’s petition, dated May 29, 2024, and addressed to Tuggar, accuses Lamuwa of creating an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment through multiple instances of harassment. The petition, signed by Adebayo A. Oniyelu LP of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, is titled “Request For An Investigation Of Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s Conducts Of Sexual Harassment At The Place Of Work, Abuse Of Office, Official Intimidation And Discrimination.”
Ajayi claims that during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, Lamuwa made inappropriate advances, suggesting she join him in his hotel room and continued with inappropriate remarks throughout the retreat. She also cited an incident on November 10, 2023, where Lamuwa allegedly invited her to travel to Hong Kong, promising significant personal benefits from the trip.
