The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has provided an explanation for the delay in summoning Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Mrs. Simisola Ajayi, an aide in the Ministry.
According to The PUNCH, on May 27, 2024, Ajayi, who serves as an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, filed a formal petition with Folasade Yemi-Esan, the then Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In her complaint, Ajayi accused Lamuwa of persistently making inappropriate advances toward her, despite her being married.
In response to these allegations, the Head of Service suspended Lamuwa and initiated a committee to investigate the claims.
Subsequently, in July 2024, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Oluwole Oke, the representative for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, summoned the suspended Permanent Secretary to testify regarding the accusations made by Ajayi.
However, despite the summons, the committee has yet to meet with Lamuwa. Chairman Oke explained that the invitation was postponed to allow the investigation by the Office of the Head of Service to be completed.
Oke noted that the investigation into the case was ongoing, and the committee decided to “step down” the meeting until the probe concludes.
In what now appears to be a renewed interest in the case, a lawmaker from the committee, speaking unofficially, indicated that the panel intends to revisit the issue upon Oke’s return from an overseas trip.
“You know the National Assembly has just resumed. Our Chairman is out of the country. He gives directives on issues concerning our activities. As soon as he returns, I can assure you that we will revisit the matter. No doubt about this,” the unnamed lawmaker remarked.
During a phone conversation with The PUNCH, Oke himself confirmed the committee’s intentions, promising to follow up on the case once he returned.
“I am out of town. When I get back, I will give you an update,” he assured.
