Foreign affairs Minister writes Head of Service over Perm Sec’s sexual assaults on female staff

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has written a letter to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoS, over allegation of sexual assault on Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa.

Vanguard reports that in the letter dated May 27, the Minister said he was forced to lodge an official complaint against the Permanent Secretary, saying that Ibrahim Lamuwa has been harassing female staff of the ministry.

In the letter titled; ‘RE: OFFICIAL COMPLAINT REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF MRS SIMISOLA FAJEMIROKUN AJAYI BY AMBASSADOR IBRAHIM ADAMU LAMUWA (PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)”, Tuggar offered to assist in the investigation, advising the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to handle the matter accordingly.

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.”

When contacted on the issue, Special Adviser, Media and Communications Strategy to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alkassim Abdulkadir affirmed the story as he simply replied with, ‘It’s true’.

However, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemned sexual harassment and provided sanctions against perpetrators.

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.