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Amidst sexual harassment allegations, MARF Calls for suspension of permanent secretary

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Pending the outcome of an investigation into serious allegations of sexual harassment against the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) has called for his immediate suspension.

The demand is coming against the backdrop of a petition by Mrs. Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a staff member of the Ministry, who accused Lamuwa of persistent unwanted advances and abuse of office.
MARF commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, “for his decisive and courageous action in bringing these allegations to light.”
In a letter dated 27th of May 2024 addressed to the Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, Tuggar underscored the gravity of the situation and called for an urgent and thorough investigation.
In an electronic statement issued by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Lemmy Ughegbe, and Director of Strategic Development, Augustine Eigbe, the foundation, expressed their appreciation for Tuggar’s integrity in addressing the issue head-on.

“We applaud the Minister’s refusal to adhere to the typical code of silence often observed in high offices and his commitment to ensuring justice and accountability,” they stated.

MARF emphasised the need for the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Lamuwa to prevent any potential interference with the investigation.

They also urged that Mrs. Ajayi and other victims be protected from any form of victimisation, both now and in the future, for bravely coming forward with their complaints.

A petition, filed through her legal representative, Femi Falana (SAN), detailed multiple incidents of harassment by the Permanent Secretary, including inappropriate comments and physical advances.

According to Falana, “these actions have created a hostile and unsafe working environment, not only for Mrs. Ajayi but also for other staff members.”

MARF reiterated its zero tolerance for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and sexual harassment in workplaces.

They decried the rampant nature of such misconduct in various institutions, which is often inadequately addressed, noting that “the Foundation’s stance is clear: any form of harassment and abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to protect victims and uphold ethical standards.”

We call for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the allegations against Ibrahim Lamuwa.

They called for appropriate disciplinary actions if the allegations are substantiated, emphasising the necessity of a safe and equitable workplace for all.

The organisation declared that “the Foreign Affairs Minister’s actions set a powerful precedent for leaders across all sectors, reinforcing that no one is above the law.”

“Therefore MARF hopes this incident will mark a significant turning point in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse in Nigerian workplaces,” they added.

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Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption

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A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.

According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.

Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.

The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.

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Protests Erupt in Abuja Demanding Investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank

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A significant protest was held today at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, organized by the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, calling for an urgent investigation into serious allegations against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB). The bank, under the leadership of Segun Agbaje, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, unsolicited account openings, and more.

The Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman addressed the crowd, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape since 1960. He emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in economic development and criticized the lack of action from regulatory and law enforcement agencies regarding GTB’s alleged infractions.

“The allegations against GTB are serious and cannot be ignored,” Usman stated. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize these claims and conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.

Participants in the protest voiced their concerns about recent operational failures at GTB, particularly a prolonged outage of the bank’s payment systems, which resulted in substantial losses for customers. The coalition called for the bank’s management to focus on resolving these critical issues instead of engaging in activities that undermine trust.

The protesters also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a proactive stance in investigating the allegations and ensuring accountability within the banking sector.

As the coalition continues its peaceful demonstrations, they remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice for affected customers and investors. This protest reflects a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system, as civil society seeks to foster an environment where corruption is actively challenged and addressed.

The response from authorities to this protest may significantly impact the future governance of financial institutions in Nigeria, highlighting the necessity for reform and vigilance in the fight against corruption.

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Guaranty Trust Bank Faces Allegations of Data Breach, Unsolicited Account Openings

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***False Profit Declarations also

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has been accused of unethical practices, including opening accounts for individuals without consent, data privacy violations, and inflating profit figures, according to a damning private investigation report.

The report, released by the Global Integrity Coalition of Nigeria (GICN), also implicates the bank in breaching Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines.

The investigation alleged that GTBank engaged in the unauthorized collection of personal information—such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), phone numbers, and other sensitive data—used to open unsolicited accounts.
This strategy reportedly allowed the bank to inflate its customer base and present itself as a more robust institution to potential investors and stakeholders. Over 10,000 individuals may have been impacted, raising concerns about potential exposure to fraud and other financial crimes.

Edward Omaga, President of GICN, addressed the findings during a press conference in Abuja, describing the situation as a serious breach of trust. “We discovered that GTBank has been involved in opening accounts without the knowledge or consent of customers, putting them at serious financial risk,” Omaga said. “This is not just a violation of corporate governance standards but a clear breach of Nigeria’s data privacy laws.”

Further allegations involve the bank’s financial reporting whereby in September 2024, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the parent company of GTBank, declared a profit before tax of ₦1.004 trillion for the first half of the year.
This announcement made GTCO the first Nigerian financial institution to reach such a figure. However, GICN’s investigation claims the profit figures were artificially inflated, misleading regulators, investors, and the public.

“The financial statements were hurriedly compiled to paint a false picture of the bank’s profitability,” the report states, pointing fingers at Segun Julius Agbaje, GTCO’s Group Chief Executive Officer, and his management team.
The report suggests that this misrepresentation was an effort to maintain investor confidence and boost the bank’s market value on both the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

The investigation also noted the bank’s lack of adherence to corporate governance standards, warning that such practices undermine public trust in Nigeria’s financial institutions. According to Omaga, the report was compiled using constitutional provisions that empower citizens and civil society groups to expose corrupt practices.

With the serious accusations in the spotlight, the report has prompted calls for regulatory action from bodies like the CBN, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Affected customers have also expressed their intent to pursue legal action, citing violations of data privacy laws and unauthorized use of their personal information.

GTBank has yet to officially comment on the allegations at the time of this publication.

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