IN a shocking revelation the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has notified the Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, about persisting allegations of sexual harassment against the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ibrahim Lamuwa.
A married female employee of the ministry, Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, through Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and her lawyer, informed Tuggar of Lamuwa’s alleged sexual advances.
The complaint was contained in a letter obtained by News Point Nigeria, dated, 27th May, 2024, titled; ‘RE: OFFICIAL COMPLAINT REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF MRS SIMISOLA FAJEMIROKUN AJAYI BY AMBASSADOR IBRAHIM ADAMU LAMUWA (PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)”
The letter signed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, 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.”
A source in the ministry who pleaded anonymity, told this newspaper that, this is not the first time the Perm Sec has sexually assaulted a female married staff member.
“The Perm Sec has sexually assaulted some married women in the ministry. This is not the first, a bigger issue happened last year and the authorities at the ministry tried to cover it up and manage it.
“However, some female staff members resolved that, if this issue is not sorted, they will go to court and then take the matter to the media, because they have had enough of this unfortunate oppression by this man’, the source added.
When contacted on the issue, Special Adviser, Media and Communications Strategy to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alkassim Abdulkadir simply replied with, ‘It’s true’.
On issues of sexual harassment, the Section 351 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria says, “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.
Section 352: 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.
Section 360: Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or girl is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.