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By Oscar Okhifo
The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has withdrawn the summon earlier issued to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Lamuwa, accused of sexual harassment by an aide in the Ministry, Mrs. Simisola Ajayi.
Ayaji, an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had on May 27, 2024, petitioned the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, accusING Mr Lamawu of serially making passes at her despite her status as a married woman.
The Head of Service subsequently suspended the Permanent Secretary and set up a committee to investigate the allegations.
Last month, The House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by the member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State, Oluwole Oke, summoned the suspended Permanent Secretary as part of the moves aimed at establishing what truly transpired between the aide and the accused.
However, a staff member of the Ministry who does not want his name mentioned because he’s not authorised to speak about it, said many prominent Nigerians pleaded with the House Committee to stay away from the investigation, given that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is already doing so.
“I can’t give you names but powerful and highly connected people are not happy with the public attention the Permanent Secretary has brought unto himself. From the look of things, this is a controversy whose outcome Nigerians are very interested in. Lamuwa has reached the top of his career and these people who are very close to him felt that the probe by the Office of the Head of Service would suffice,” he said.
Speaking with our correspondent, Oke said the Committee only stepped down the summon pending the conclusion of the probe by the Office of the Head of Service.
He said, “We stepped down our engagement with the suspended Ambassador Lamuwa to allow the panel set up by the Head of Service and Federal Civil Service Commission who are his employer to finalise their investigation within reasonable time and get their reports.”
Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, also added that the House Committee further decided to stay action on the matter because the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is also investigating the matter.
“Again, do not forget that the ICPC is also investigating the matter. We are watching as a parliament, for their report. Before the parliament, every Nigerian must be treated fairly and justice must be done and seen to have been done at all times,” he added.