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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, an employee of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for interrogation over a probe into alleged graft.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi is the married female civil servant who accused permanent secretary of the ministry, Ibrahim Lamuwa, of sexual harassment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had recently notified, Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, about “persisting” allegations of sexual harassment against Lamuwa.
In a letter dated May 27 and addressed to Yemi-Esan, Tuggar said he felt it was necessary to write her following the “gravity of the matter.”
Fajemirokun-Ajayi, through her counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), had petitioned Tuggar about Lamuwa’s alleged sexual advances.
Lamuwa haD since denied the allegation, claiming that he turned down Ajayi’s request to pay her bills during an overseas trip.
However, in a new twist to the saga, the ICPC invited Fajemirokun-Ajayi to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday, June 14, for an “interview.”
In the letter of invitation dated June 11, and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the commission said it is “investigating an alleged violation of provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and it has become imperative to have recourse to your office.”
“In view of the above, pursuant to section 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 14th June, 2024 at 1100 hours,” the letter added.
The letter, which was signed by Acting Director of Operations at the ICPC, S. Yahaya, did not give details of the violated act for which Fajemirokun-Ajayi was invited.
(TheCable)