Foreign Ministry Perm Sec Lamuwa Suspended Amid Sexual Harassment Scandal
Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suspended pending investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been suspended by the Office of the Head of Service (OHCSF) following an allegation of sexual harassment.
Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of Service, indicated that the permanent secretary would be suspended pending the conclusion of an investigation into the charges leveled against him.
Following a petition filed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, against Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Head of Service established an investigative committee to probe the allegations, leading to Lamuwa's suspension pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Tuggar filed the petition on behalf of Simisola Ajayi, accusing Lamuwa of continuous sexual harassment.
Ajayi's counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), described the alleged harassment in the petition.
Tuggar expressed his concern about the seriousness of the allegations against the permanent secretary in a letter to the Head of Service dated May 27, 2024.
“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," the minister stated in the letter.
On Wednesday, June 12, an individual acquainted with the situation revealed that after receiving Tuggar's letter regarding the allegations against Lamuwa, the Head of Service formed an investigative panel.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity owing to the sensitive nature of the situation, stated, “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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a special ministry that operates even outside the shores of the country, so you can't expect that an issue of such gravity will be swept under the carpet.”
Ajayi also alleged that on November 10, 2023, Lamuwa extended an invitation for her to accompany him on a trip to Hong Kong, implying that she would receive substantial personal benefits from the journey. These incidents, among others, contributed to a toxic work environment, prompting Ajayi to seek redress through the petition.
The petition, signed by Adebayo A. Oniyelu LP of Falana & Falana, was headlined “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.”
According to the petition, Ajayi cataloged multiple instances of sexual harassment allegedly perpetrated by Lamuwa, creating a hostile and uncomfortable work environment. Specifically, she alleged that during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, Lamuwa made unwanted advances, inviting her to his hotel room, and persisted in making inappropriate comments throughout the event.
Ajayi also alleged that on November 10, 2023, Lamuwa extended an invitation for her to accompany him on a trip to Hong Kong, implying that she would receive substantial personal benefits from the journey. These incidents, among others, contributed to a toxic work environment, prompting Ajayi to seek redress through the petition.
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