A senior civil servant within the Ministry of Legal Affairs has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation, state media reported Tuesday.

The move follows a recommendation by the Public Service Commission, which is questioning the official’s handling of an alleged case of impropriety involving a junior staff member in the ministry.

According to the report, a committee has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into what has been described as alleged dereliction of duty, lack of oversight and failure to adhere to the standards expected of a senior public servant.

In a related development, a recommendation has also been made for another senior civil servant in the ministry to be immediately removed from her post.