Foreign Affairs Ministry: Tinubu fires Perm Sec accused of sexual assault, appoints replacement

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dunoma Ahmed as the new permanent secretary of the federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday.

Ahmed replaces Ibrahim Lamuwa, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment from female subordinates.

Ahmed assumed duty on July 23, the ministry said.

“Born on 15th October, 1968 in Maiduguri, Bornu State, Dr. Ahmed, who has had an impeccable education and meritorious career, has served in various capacities in public organisations as well as the federal civil service and most recently as the immediate past permanent secretary, federal ministry of youth development,” the statement reads.

In June, Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a married female aide of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar,  complained about sexual harassment in a petition written against the former permanent secretary.

She alleged that Lamuwa touched her inappropriately and invited her to his hotel room on different occasions.

In a letter to Tinubu last month, some officers of the ministry said the allegation against Lamuwa by Ajayi was not the first of its kind.

They added that sexual harassment allegations against Lamuwa have become “a recurring feature in his entire public service career”.
The minister thereafter asked the head of civil service of the federation, to handle the matter appropriately.