Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has petitioned the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, over an alleged sexual harassment of a married staff, Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun, by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa.
The horrible revelation is contained in a petition dated 27th May, 2024, with the title ‘RE: OFFICIAL COMPLAINT REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF MRS SIMISOLA FAJEMIROKUN AJAYI BY AMBASSADOR IBRAHIM ADAMU LAMUWA (PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS).”
The petition, with the ministry’s letterhead, was officially signed by the Foreign Affairs Minister.
It 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.”
Meanwhile, a source in the ministry has confided in News Point Nigeria that the accusation against the randy Perm Sec wasn’t his first, as he has sexually assaulted a female married staff member.
“The Perm Sec has sexually assaulted some married women in the ministry.
“This is not the first, a bigger issue happened last year and the authorities at the ministry tried to cover it up and manage it.
“However, some female staff members resolved that, if this issue is not sorted, they will go to court and then take the matter to the media, because they have had enough of this unfortunate oppression by this man’, the source added.
When contacted on the issue, Special Adviser, Media and Communications Strategy to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alkassim Abdulkadir simply replied with, ‘It’s true’.
On issues of sexual harassment, 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.
