Reps grill perm sec Ibrahim Lamuwa accused of sexual harassment

Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa accused of sexual harassment

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs will on Thursday, July 4 interrogate the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Lamuwa, accused of sexual harassment.

Simisola Ajayi, an aide to the minister of foreign affairs Yusuf Tuggar, made sexual harassment allegations against Lamuwa through her lawyer Femi Falana.

On Ajayi’s behalf, Tuggar lodged a complaint against Lamuwa with the head of the civil service of the federation.

Tuggar told the head of civil service in a letter dated May 27, 2024, “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.”

In her petition dated May 29, 2024, Mrs Ajayi said Lamuwa made inappropriate advances towards her on several occasions.

The permanent secretary, who has been suspended, has since debunked the allegations.

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

Last month, Ajayi was invited for questioning by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the allegations.