The minister of foreign affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, has petitioned the head of service of the federation, Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, about the allegations of sexual assault on Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr Ibrahim Lamuwa.
In the letter dated May 20, 2024 and entitled ‘RE: Official complaint regarding sexual harassment of Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi by ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa (permanent secretary ministry of foreign affairs)’ the minister offered to assist in the investigation, advising Yemi-Esan to handle the matter accordingly.
“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,” the petitioner said.
The petition further stated that Ajayi, a married female employee of the ministry, through her Lagos-based lawyer and human rights campaigner, Mr Femi Falana, had informed Tuggar of Lamuwa’s alleged sexual advances.
The document was signed by Adebayo Oniyelu, on behalf of Falana.
According to the document, Lamuwa approached Ajayi on October 7, 2023, during the first policy retreat to review President Bola Tinubu’s 4D policy to ask why she did not sleep at the hotel after the event.
The petition added that the permanent secretary informed Ajayi that he would want her to come to his room after the event but she declined, saying she was a nursing mother and needed to go home to care for her baby.
“Is it a big baby or small baby?” the petition quoted Lamuwa as inquiring, adding that he would like to find out so he can join.
“He, however, continued this line of inappropriate anecdotes throughout the retreat.
“On November 10, 2023: our client went to Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s conference room where he was working out to discuss the plans to digitise 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.”
Citing another instance, Oniyelu said Lamuwa summoned Ajayi and challenged her that she 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 and referring to her as a ‘stubborn woman,” the document added.
The petition added that a discreet investigation conducted by Ajayi revealed that other women, particularly female directors, were almost raped in their hotel rooms, adding that female foreign service officers had been harassed, threatened and removed from trips, postings and other privileges because they declined to comply with Lamuwa’s sexual urges.
