Crime

Reps Summon Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 3, 2024

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The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to address accusations of sexual harassment levied against him by Simisola Ajayi, an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A few weeks ago, Simisola Ajayi, through her lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, submitted a petition to the Office of the Head of Service to the Federation, accusing Lamuwa of sexual harassment. Ajayi is an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar.

“He (Lamuwa) will appear before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday,” said the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, on Wednesday.

In response to the allegations, the Head of Service, Folasade Yemi-Esan, has suspended Lamuwa pending the outcome of the investigation.

The petition details an incident on October 7, 2023, during the first retreat to review President Bola Tinubu’s 4D policy. According to Ajayi, Lamuwa approached her and questioned why she did not spend the night at the hotel after the event. He allegedly invited her to his room, which she declined, citing her responsibilities as a nursing mother.

On May 27, 2024, Minister Tuggar informed Yemi-Esan of the allegations. In June, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) invited Ajayi for questioning regarding the accusation.

The House Committee’s investigation is set to proceed with Lamuwa’s appearance on Thursday.