- Litany of Sexual Assault Cases that Brought Down Ambassadors…
- Protests by Union Rocks Ministry
By Abiola Olawale and Tolulope Olatunji
Following the probe panel set up by the Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Folashade Yemi-Esan to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment against Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, permanent secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs, the later has promptly proceeded on what diplomatic experts call “compulsory leave”to allow for unhindered investigations, necessitating the most senior director in the pecking order of hierarchy to take charge of affairs in the MFA.
Reports reaching The New Diplomat indicate that consequent upon this development, the immediate past Ambassador of Nigeria to Cuba, Benaoyagha Okoyen has stepped in as the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sources familiar with the matter said Okoyen was named as the acting permanent secretary following the “quiet”suspension of Ambassador Lamuwa.
The New Diplomat reports that prior to Okoyen’s new role, he was Chief of Protocol, MFA and the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba. He had also served as the Consul General of Nigeria in New York.
He had also previously served as the protocol liaison officer (PLO) as well as the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Recall that 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 of foreign affairs office.
Given the gravity of the situation, Lamuwa could face a penalty of one to fourteen years of imprisonment if proven guilty of the accusations levelled against him.
The New Diplomat reports that instances of high-profile cases of allegedl sexual misconduct and other grave inappropriate acts necessitating Ambassadors being recalled unceremoniously from their posts are not unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s foreign service. The role of a diplomat in a foreign country is often likened to navigating a very delicate, precarious path, akin to a banana peel.
Some retired career Ambassadors explained to The New Diplomat reporters that In diplomatic circles, positive, excellent conduct is a must for a diplomat, especially for an Ambassador who given his/her position is required to represent the highest ethical standard and paragon of esteemed excellence in all aspects of life. Therefore, any negative behaviour or acts of misconduct carry very grave consequences as the envoy is seen to have crossed the red line, and therefore must face the consequences as enshrined in the rules globally.
SOME LITANY OF CASES OF ALLEGED MISCONDUCTS…
1. Professor Tunde Adeniran
Prof Tunde Adeniran’s nomination as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States was rejected by the United States Government in 2009 following allegations that his son or step son was involved in sexual assault in Baltimore, USA. He never became an Ambassador to the USA.
2. Ambassador Wilcox Wigwe
In 2011, Chiojoke Wilcox Wigwe, who was then the High Commissioner / Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to the Republic of Kenya was recalled after fraudulent allegations emerged that he beat up his wife at post. But his daughter’s testimony to the effect that her mother was telling lies against the Ambassador(her father) saved Wigue but it was already too late as he was already recalled home. His career ended abruptly and unceremoniously on account of the fraudulent claims by his “troublesome”wife, Teresa.
3. Ambassador Ejoh Abuah
Ambassador Ejoh Abuah was Nigeria’s Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from 1996-1998. While at post, his housemaid, a 52-year old Philippino lady accused him of sexual relationship and threat. Abuah was recalled unceremoniously from Switzerland and given short notice to depart Geneva. He was later tried in absentia in a court in Switzerland and found culpable. There are many other cases but these are just instances of precedents.
The most recent Diplomat to become entangled in an allegation of scandal is Lamuwa.
It would be recalled that the troubles of Lamuwa started when the the Law firm of Femi Falana, SAN wrote a petition against Lamuwa, alleging sexual assault against Mrs Fajimirokun /Ajayi, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The minister then conveyed the petition to the HoS for further action.
Consequent upon receipt of the Minister’s letter and an accompanying petition against 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 raised a high-level probe panel to investigate the grave allegations and come up with far-reaching recommendations.
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 informed 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.”
