By Daniel Peter
The Office of the Head of Service has suspended the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa, over alleged sexual harassment.
Lamuwa was accused of serial sexual harassment by a married female employee of the ministry, Simisola Ajayi.
Ajayi made the accusation in a petition dated May 29, 2024, and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
Ajayi, in the petition filed by her lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), said multiple instances of harassment allegedly by Lamuwa have created an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment.
The female civil servant stated that during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, Lamuwa allegedly made inappropriate advances towards her, suggesting she joined him in his hotel room.
She also cited an incident on November 10, 2023, where Lamuwa allegedly invited her to travel to Hong Kong, China, promising significant personal benefits from the trip.
Ajayi, in the petition signed by Adebayo A. Oniyelu LP of Falana & Falana’s, therefore, called for a thorough investigation into the actions of Lamuwa.
Tuggar later lodged a complaint with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) over the allegations levelled against Lamuwa.
Tuggar lodged the complaint via a letter addressed to the HOCSF dated May 27, 2024.
The letter read: “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.”
However, the Head of Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan, on Wednesday, June 12, said Lamuwa would be on suspension pending the outcome of a probe into the allegation against him.
“The permanent secretary has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe by the committee set up,” a Senior Director in the OHCSF noted.
It was further gathered that the HoS, after the petition submitted against Lamuwa, constituted a committee to look into the matter.
