The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has issued a query to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Lamuwa, over alleged sexual harassment.

Mr Lamuwa, who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal with concurrent accreditation to Mauritania before his appointment as permanent secretary, is accused of sexually harassing Simisola Ajayi, who works in the ministry.

The Deputy-Director of Communication in the OHCSF, Muhammed Ahmed, confirmed the development on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said, “Lamuwa was queried in accordance with the Civil Service rules and regulations.’’

According to him, the query is to give the accused a fair hearing.

He added, “His response will set the path for further necessary action.”

He also hinted that there would be “unhindered investigation into the alleged case of sexual harassment.’’

He said, “We are following the procedure in the civil service. The case shall be fully investigated.’’

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar had, based on a petition by Mrs Ajayi, through her Legal Counsel, Femi Falana, officially asked the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, to wade into the matter.

His letter asking her to step in on the matter went viral on Tuesday.

Mr Tuggar stated in the letter, “Bearing in mind the gravity of the matter, it has become necessary to draw your attention to it, while requesting the OHCSF to handle the matter”.

The deadline for Mr Lamuwa’s response could not be confirmed, but an unconfirmed source said that he had been asked to step aside to avoid interference that could taint investigation into the matter.

(NAN)