Minister is being dragged before the head of the service perm sec

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has formally lodged a complaint with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation regarding allegations of sexual harassment against the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa.

In a letter addressed to the HOCSF, dated May 27, 2024, and sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, Tuggar expressed concern over the serious nature of the allegation leveled against the Permanent Secretary by Mrs. Simisola Ajayi.

He stressed the importance of addressing the issue urgently and thoroughly.

The letter was titled: “Re: Official Complaint of Sexual Harassment of Mrs. Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi by Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs).”

It read: “I am compelled to write to you to inform you of a formal complaint against the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, over allegations of sexual harassment.

“Given the seriousness of the matter, I deem it necessary to draw your attention to it and ask you to deal with it accordingly.”

The letter contained an attachment of the complaint received via email, and Tuggar assured the HOCSF of his full cooperation in the investigation.

“May I also assure you that I remain available to provide you with any assistance necessary in fulfilling your responsibilities,” he added.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode confirmed the development in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.

“Yes. The complaint is true,” Abu-Ode said when asked to confirm the authenticity of the letter.

When contacted by phone for his response, Lawuwa declined comment.

“I’m in a meeting. Sorry, I can’t talk, please,” he said simply after our correspondent introduced himself and the issue she wanted him to respond to.

He has also not responded to a message sent to his WhatsApp in this regard at the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the Special Assistant for Media and Communications will also contact the
Foreign Minister Alkasim Abdulkadir simply said: “No comment. The matter is being investigated by the relevant authorities.”

Ajayi had a petition dated May 29, 2024, addressed to Tuggar, accusing the permanent secretary of serial sexual harassment.

Ajayi, through her lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), called for a thorough investigation into Amb’s actions. Lamuwa.

The petition, signed by Adebayo A. Oniyelu LP of Falana & Falana’s, was titled “Request for an investigation into Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s conduct in the areas of sexual harassment in the workplace, abuse of office, official harassment and discrimination.”

According to the petition, Ajayi narrated multiple incidents of harassment, allegedly by Lamuwa, which created an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment.

For example, she alleged that Lamuwa made inappropriate advances toward her during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, suggesting that she join him in his hotel room.

He reportedly continued to make inappropriate comments during the retreat.

She also cited an incident on November 10, 2023, where Lamuwa allegedly invited Ajayi to travel to Hong Kong, promising significant personal benefits from the trip.