HoCSF Denies Suspension Of Perm Sec Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHoCSF) has denied media reports that the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, has suspended the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa, over sexual harassment allegation by a female ministerial aide.

Some media platforms reported that following the setting up of a committee by the Head of the Service to look into the matter, Yemi-Esan ordered the immediate suspension of the permanent secretary.

According to the report, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said the permanent secretary would be on suspension pending the outcome of an immediate probe into the allegations against him.

But, a top management staff in the office of the Head of Civil Service, who preferred anonymity, has debunked the report of suspension of the permanent secretary, saying that he was not aware of such suspension.

“The permanent secretary has been queried, a committee has been set up to investigate the matter.

“After he receives the query, a committee will look at the allegation and his response, then if there is any action for further investigation, that is when they will give the suspension for the investigation to go properly.

“But, if not, they will take action after the entire investigation. So, what you read in the papers is just mere speculation, because I am not aware of any suspension,” he said.

It could be recalled that an aide of the Minister of Affairs, Mrs Simisola Ajayi, had accused Lamuwa of serial sexual harassment, in a petition dated May 29, 2024 and addressed to her principal, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.

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 had created an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment for her.

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, and that 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 her significant personal benefits from the trip.