The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has lodged a complaint with the Head of the Civil Service (HOCSF) of the Federation regarding allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa.
Tuggar expressed the weightiness of the allegation levelled against Lamuwa by Mrs Simisola Ajayi in a letter he addressed to the HOCSF.
He emphasised the importance of addressing the matter expeditiously and thoroughly.
The letter was titled, “Re: Official Complaint Regarding 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 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 letter included an attachment of the complaint received via email, and the Minister 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 required in discharging your responsibilities,” he added.
Ajayi had addressed a petition to the Minster on May 29, accusing the permanent secretary of serial sexual harassment.
Ajayi, through her lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), called for a thorough investigation into the actions of Amb. Lamuwa.
According to the petition, Ajayi described multiple instances of harassment allegedly by Lamuwa, which have created an unsafe and inconvenient working space for her.
In a particular incident on October 7 last year, she claimed that during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, she claimed Lamuwa allegedly made inappropriate advances towards her, suggesting she joined him in his hotel room during a policy retreat. He reportedly continued with inappropriate remarks throughout the retreat.
Ajayi also added that on November 10, the permanent secretary allegedly invited her to travel with him to Hong Kong, promising significant personal benefits from the trip.