- Permanent Secretary Proceeds on Suspension
- HoS Sets up High-Level Probe Panel
By Abiola Olawale with additional report by Tolulope Olatunji
Following a petition of sexual harassment currently standing against the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has formally written to the Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), conveying the petition against the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to the HoS for investigation and necessary action.
Reports reaching The New Diplomat indicate that consequent upon receipt of the Minister’s letter and an accompanying petition against Ambassador Lamuwa, from the Law firm of radical Lagos Lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana,(SAN), the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan has raised a high-level probe panel to investigate the grave allegations and come up with far-reaching recommendations.
The New Diplomat reporters gathered that the investigation team is made up of senior permanent secretaries, amongst others. Sources told our reporters that in order to prevent the possibility of Ambassador Lamuwa’s interference in the probe process, the substantive Head of Service has reportedly directed that he proceeds on immediate suspension, pending the outcome of the investigations in line with Civil service rules.
Lamuwa was alleged to have sexually assaulted one Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, a married staff member of the ministry of foreign affairs attached to the Minister’s office.
Checks by our reporters reveal that this might not be the very first time Ambassador Lamuwa would be linked to allegations of sexual assault. However, this would be the first time, such an allegation would attract widespread media attention. Said a retired career diplomat who rose to become an Ambassador: “ When he served in one country, in the Americas, he was accused of making similar inappropriate advances at a female local staff. It was quickly managed..,.”
Given the gravity of the situation, The New Diplomat reports that Lamuwa could face a penalty of one to fourteen years of imprisonment if proven guilty of the accusations leveled against him.
Indeed, Ambassador Tuggar, in his letter dated May 27th, 2024, had urged the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to investigate the allegations and handle the matter accordingly.
The letter reads in part; “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.
“Please find attached a copy of the complaint I received via email. May I also assure you that I remain available to provide you with any assistance required in discharging your responsibilities”
Recall that Ajayi, in her petition against Lamuwa dated May 29, 2024, and filed by the Law firm of Femi Falana, SAN, had detailed multiple instances of alleged sexual harassment purportedly perpetrated by Lamuwa.
In the petition, Ajayi detailed how Lamuwa allegedly made inappropriate sexual advances towards her, urging her to join him in his hotel room, during a policy retreat held on October 7, 2023.
The petition reads in part further: “On November 10, 2023: our client went to Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s conference room where he was working out to discuss the plans to digitize the Ministry. Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa invited her for a meeting later that afternoon with a team from Galaxy Backbone. During the conversation, Amb, Ibrahim Lamuwa requested our client take a voyage with him to Hong Kong. He further assured our client that our client’s life would never remain the same after the trip. Our client left the scene in utter shock and disappointment because of the awkwardness of the Permanent Secretary, Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s discussion.
“While our client was about to excuse herself, Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa thoughtlessly put his arms around our client’s arms and demanded a full frontal hug which she rejected. The Honourable Minister would recall that sometime in March 2024, our client discussed with you concerning her safety for fear of not being raped by Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa resulting from the consistent sexual harassment reported even as a married woman.
“Upon her unfortunate predicament with the Permanent Secretary, the Honourable Minister assured our client of a change of behaviour as he had confronted him.
“Sometime in May 2024, our client went to Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s office under the Honourable Minister’s instruction at about 3:20 pm to inform the Permanent Secretary to contact his counterpart in the Ministry of Defence for the reports needed for the upcoming US trip.
“Upon arriving at the Permanent Secretary’s office, our client was informed that he was in his inner room. In her desperate attempt to avoid getting molested, our client returned to her office and interestingly, Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa demanded that she return to his office at about 3:41 pm on the same day.
“As instructed, our client immediately returned to see the Permanent Secretary. On arriving at the Permanent Secretary’s office, he commented that our client had not been to his office since February because she had grudges against him. He then offered our client to drink tea from his cup whilst forcefully putting his arms around our client’s and referring to her as a “stubborn woman”.
The petitioner’s lawyer narrated further:”Our client again hurriedly left the Permanent Secretary’s office for fear of being molested after repeated demands of a tight hug from him as he had missed seeing her.
“It is pertinent to state that a discreet investigation conducted by our client revealed that more women are with unadorned allegations against the Permanent Secretary, particularly female directors who were almost raped in the hotel rooms and female foreign service officers who have been harassed, threatened and removed from trips, postings and other privileges because they declined to comply with Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s uncontrolled sexual urges.
“Given the above-stated facts, the Honourable Minister would agree with us that sexual harassment, intimidation, oppression, discrimination and abuse of office in any form are unacceptable. They violate your Ministry’s policies as well as ethical standards. It includes but is not limited to unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, and any behaviour that creates a hostile work environment.”
The New Diplomat reports that Section 351 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states clearly that, “Any person who unlawfully assaults another is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable if no greater punishment is provided, to imprisonment for one year.”
Similarly, Section 352 of the same constitution explicitly added:” Any person who assaults another with intent to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.”
Again, Section 360 states:”Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or girl is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.”
