Staff members on Tuesday of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staged a protest in response to ongoing sexual scandal allegations within the ministry.
In a video obtained by our correspondent, the staff can be seen and heard singing solidarity songs, with chants of “Insowendo in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” resonating through the protest.
The demonstration came on the heels of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving high-ranking officials in the ministry.
The reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, had formally lodged a complaint with the Head of Service of the Federation regarding allegations of sexual harassment against the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa.
In a letter addressed to the Head of Service on May 27, 2024, Tuggar expressed his concern over the serious nature of the allegations involving Mrs. Simisola Ajayi.
He emphasised the importance of addressing the matter with the utmost urgency and thoroughness.
“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,” Tuggar stated in the letter.
Ajayi, had a petition dated May 29, 2024, addressed to Tuggar, accused the permanent secretary of serial sexual harassment.
Ajayi, through her lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), called for a thorough investigation into the actions of Amb. Lamuwa.
The petition, signed by Adebayo A. Oniyelu LP of Falana & Falana’s, was titled “Request For An Investigation Of Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa’s Conducts Of Sexual Harassment At The Place Of Work, Abuse Of Office, Official Intimidation And Discrimination.”
According to the petition, Ajayi narrated multiple instances of harassment allegedly by Lamuwa, which have created an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment.
She claimed for instance that during a policy retreat on October 7, 2023, Lamuwa allegedly made inappropriate advances towards her, suggesting she joined him in his hotel room.
He reportedly continued with inappropriate remarks throughout the retreat.
She also cited an incident on November 10, 2023, where Lamuwa allegedly invited Ajayi to travel to Hong Kong, promising significant personal benefits from the trip.
