The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allegedly involved in a sexual harassment scandal, Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, has been suspended.
A reliable source informed that Lamuwa was directed to ‘step aside’, while investigations into the allegation begins.
It was learnt on Tuesday, as a source within the top echelon of the ministry informed that Lamuwa had been asked to step aside by the Office of the Head of Service.
He was given till Friday last week to vacate office and the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba, Benaoyagha Okoyen, assumed office on Monday in acting capacity.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has written to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, over allegation of sexual harassment levelled against the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tuggar, in the letter dated May 27 said he was compelled to write to inform the Head of Service of a formal complaint against 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,” Tuggar wrote.
However, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed the development.
“The matter is being looked into by the relevant authorities,” he said.
The sexual harassment allegation against Lamuwa emanated from Mrs. Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, one of the aides of the minister.
Ajayi, in a letter dated May 29, chronicled different instances where Lamuwa made advances towards her.
In the letter signed by Adebayo Oniyelu of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, addressed to Tuggar, Ajayi urged the minister to carry out a thorough investigation, and if found liable, appropriate disciplinary actions should be meted against him to serve as deterrence to forestall future occurrence.
Lamuwa had served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Senegal with concurrent accreditation to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania before his appointment as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Lamuwa, who joined the foreign service in 1993, was born in 1967, and hails from Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Asked what awaits Lamuwa if found guilty, the source said: “If they don’t try to play politics based on where he is coming from, if the rules are properly applied, it is dismissal because it is gross misconduct.”
Efforts to reach Lamuwa were not successful as he did not respond to calls placed across to his mobile phone at 10:17am nor an SMS and WhatsApp chat at 10:21am, respectively.
Also, efforts to reach the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was also not successful as the Head of Media, Mohammed Sabo Ahmed, did not respond to calls placed across to his mobile phone at 11:51am, including WhatsApp chat at 11:10am.(Additional Report by Agency)
