Foreign Affairs Ministry's Perm Sec Denies segxwal Harassment Allegations Levelled Against Him

Ibrahim Lamuwa, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has vehemently refuted allegations of segxwal harassment brought against him by a married female staff member, Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi.

The accusations surfaced through a petition submitted by Ajayi's lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. The petition outlined various instances of alleged segxwal harassment and misconduct by Lamuwa.

In response to the allegations, Lamuwa, through his legal representatives, issued a comprehensive denial, addressing each accusation individually.

According to a document accessed by the Daily Times, Lamuwa's legal team emphasized that their client had never made any segxwal advances towards Ajayi, whom he was aware was a married woman. They dismissed claims of suggestive comments or invitations to inappropriate relationships, asserting that all interactions between Lamuwa and Ajayi were purely professional.

The document referenced specific incidents mentioned in Ajayi's petition, including an alleged invitation to Lamuwa's room during a ministry retreat and a conversation regarding a trip to Hong Kong. Lamuwa's legal team countered each allegation, attributing them to misinterpretation and emphasizing the innocuous nature of the conversations.

Moreover, Lamuwa's legal representatives highlighted instances where Ajayi allegedly made improper requests related to financial matters within the ministry. They claimed that Lamuwa's objections to these requests may have contributed to Ajayi's decision to file the harassment allegations.

The document also underscored Lamuwa's unblemished record of service spanning over three decades, both domestically and internationally. Throughout his extensive career, which included postings in various countries and roles within the Nigerian government, there had been no prior reports or allegations of misconduct against Lamuwa.

The response from Lamuwa's legal team sought to discredit Ajayi's allegations while reaffirming their client's commitment to upholding professional standards and due process within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As the investigation into these allegations progresses, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate this sensitive and contentious issue within the Nigerian bureaucratic landscape.