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The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, has suspended the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, over sexual harassment allegation.
Yemi-Esan said the suspension stands until the probe into the allegation against him is over.
The probe became imperative following a petition submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, against Lamuwa.
The HoS has constituted a committee to look into the matter.
The complainant in the petition submitted by Tuggar was one Simisola Ajayi, who accused Lamuwa of serial sexual harassment according to Punch report.
Ajayi, in the petition filed by her lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), outlined alleged instances of harassment.
In a letter addressed to the Head of Service on May 27, 2024, Tuggar expressed his concern over the serious nature of the allegations involving the permanent secretary.
“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 minister stated in the letter.
An official familiar with the case but pleaded anonymity revealed that following the receipt of Tuggar’s letter on the allegation against Lamuwa, the HoS set up a probe panel.
He said: “Yes, the Head of Service has set up a committee to probe the whole matter. There are pieces of evidence, which will be tabled and witnesses who will also be invited to speak on the matter, so it is not a matter that will be swept under the carpet.
“The minister (Tuggar) is also very much interested in the outcome.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a special ministry that operates even outside the shores of the country, so you can’t expect that an issue of such gravity will be swept under the carpet.”
Ajayi had, in a petition dated May 29, 2024 and addressed to Tuggar, accused the permanent secretary of serial sexual harassment.
