The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who alleged sexual harassment by the permanent secretary for an interview.
Her allegations of sexual harassment against the permanent secretary, Ibrahim Lamuwa had triggered an investigation by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) previously with the OHCSF issuing a query to Lamuwa after receiving Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s petition. Lamuwa had also responded to the query, denying the allegations claiming the complainant misconstrued the alleged instances of sexual harassment cited in her petition.
While what necessitated an ICPC investigation is unclear, its invitation letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, asked him to release Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, his aide, for an interview at 10 a.m. today, Friday, 14 June.
The ministry received the ICPC invitation letter dated 11 June, signed by acting director of operations, S. Yahaya, and titled ‘Investigation Activities: Notice of Invitation’ on Thursday. The letter read, “In view of the above and pursuant to sections 28 and 40 of the said Act, you are kindly requested to release and direct Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi of the Ministry to appear for an interview before the undersigned at the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday, 14 June 2024 at 10:00 hours”.
Notably, Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who serves as an aide to the foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar alleged in her petition that she faced persistent sexual harassment from the permanent secretary Ibrahim Lamuwa.
The permanent secretary is the most senior civil servant in the ministry and is responsible for its day-to-day running. He reports to the minister, who is the overall head of the ministry and is responsible for policy implementation.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi said it became so persistent and troubling to the point that she began to be apprehensive about getting raped—alleging that Lamuwa’s conduct created an unsafe work environment, especially as her roles required her to work closely with and report to him often.
That the top official made inappropriate remarks and advances towards her on different occasions, causing her to be apprehensive and uncomfortable with carrying out her duties. She said one such incident occurred on 07 October 2023 when the permanent secretary allegedly inappropriately suggested to her to visit his hotel room at the end of President Bola Tinubu’s 4D policy review. She said this happened when this event, which held for days, was ongoing.
She said the top official initially approached her to inquire why she did not sleep at the hotel and then informed her that he would want her to come to his room after the event.
All allegations which Lamuwa denied. In the response sent to the office of the head of service, Lamuwa addressed each alleged incident mentioned in the complainant’s petition. He said the complainant maliciously misconstrued the instances as sexual harassment. He also put forward a counter-accusation, alleging that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s “malicious claims” against him resulted from his constant rejection of her “improper requests” about the ministry’s finances.
According to him, a particular instance was when Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, unfamiliar with civil service rules and processes, asked for access to policy files and even financial records of high-level ministry activities. The letter read, “By no means should the permanent secretary, as chief accounting officer of the ministry, provide such sensitive documents to an aide of the minister, worse via a WhatsApp chat. There are due processes in government, and they must be followed. We must emphasise that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi is a political appointee, not a civil servant. Thus, finance and policy matters are out of her bounds in this instance”.
Lamuwa also argued that the petition was only shared online to gather public attention and sympathy for her “unsubstantiated claims.”
