Coalition tells lawmakers to suspend confirmation until courts determine pending criminal and civil cases, warning Nigeria’s global image is at stake.
A coalition of more than 100 women’s rights and civil society organisations has called on the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to halt the confirmation of former Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Vice-Chancellor Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as Nigeria’s ambassador, citing unresolved allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office and victimisation currently before the courts.
In a petition submitted to the Senate and copied to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the coalition argued that confirming Fasina before the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings would undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, human rights and gender justice.
The petition contends that Fasina is facing pending criminal and civil proceedings arising from allegations that include sexual harassment, abuse of authority, human rights violations, intimidation and workplace victimisation. It urges senators to defer any confirmation until those matters are finally determined by competent courts.
According to the coalition, the allegations stem from events during Fasina’s tenure at FUOYE and include claims of sexual harassment supported by what the petition describes as a 37-minute audio recording, as well as allegations of harassment and victimisation involving female staff members in proceedings before the National Industrial Court. The petition also references a previous court judgment against the university’s administration in a separate employment dispute involving fair hearing issues.
The organisations stressed that they are not asking the Senate to pronounce on Fasina’s guilt or innocence. Rather, they argued that ambassadorial appointments require exceptional standards of integrity and public confidence and that lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to consider whether unresolved allegations of this nature should weigh against confirmation.
“An ambassador serves as the face of Nigeria before the international community,” the petition states, adding that elevating a nominee while criminal and civil proceedings remain pending could expose the country to reputational risks and weaken confidence in public institutions.
The coalition further argued that confirming the nomination while an ICPC prosecution remains pending could send the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to combating corruption, sexual harassment and abuse of power. It cited constitutional guarantees and international obligations, including commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), in support of its position.
Signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi on behalf of Womanifesto and backed by a broad alliance of advocacy groups—including organisations working on women’s rights, governance, anti-corruption and civic engagement—the petition concludes by urging the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to decline Fasina’s confirmation until all pending proceedings have been resolved.
At the time reflected in the petition, the allegations referenced therein remained before the courts, and the coalition’s request is that the Senate withhold confirmation pending their determination. The petition itself does not establish liability, and the matters it raises are subject to judicial processes.
