Multitudes of protesters gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday to call on the Senate to suspend the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassador over pending court cases involving allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation.
The demonstrators, operating under the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, insisted that the Senate should refrain from confirming Fasina’s nomination until the judiciary concludes the legal proceedings against him.
President Bola Tinubu recently forwarded a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation as part of efforts to fill diplomatic vacancies in Nigeria’s foreign missions.
However, Fasina’s nomination has generated controversy, with several civil society organisations arguing that proceeding with his confirmation before the conclusion of the court cases could undermine public confidence and tarnish Nigeria’s international image.
At the National Assembly complex, protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Suspend the Ambassadorial Appointment of Prof Fasina Now” and “Nigerian Senate, Don’t Confirm Prof Abayomi Fasina’s Ambassadorial Appointment,” while chanting solidarity songs.
Addressing journalists during the demonstration, legal practitioner Adeyemo Amira, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said the nominee is currently involved in cases before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja.
Amira stressed that the group’s campaign was not motivated by personal grievances but by a desire to ensure that due process is respected.
“Our appeal to the Senate is straightforward. Where serious allegations such as sexual misconduct are pending before a competent court, this is not the appropriate time to confirm such an individual to represent Nigeria abroad,” she said.
“The Senate is not a court of law. Let the judiciary determine the issues before it. We have no personal vendetta against Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina. This is a matter that goes beyond one individual.”
She added that the coalition was not asking lawmakers to convict the nominee but to allow the judicial process to run its course before deciding on his confirmation.
Amira also recalled a previous ambassadorial nomination that attracted international scrutiny because of allegations surrounding the nominee’s family, warning that Nigeria should avoid circumstances capable of damaging its diplomatic reputation.
According to her, the coalition is standing in solidarity with victims and survivors of sexual harassment, insisting that those who report such allegations deserve protection and fair hearing.
“As Nigerians, we have a duty to ensure that people who speak out against sexual harassment know their voices matter. No one should be silenced because another person is influential or powerful. We are all equal before the law,” she said.
She maintained that the coalition would have no objection to Fasina’s confirmation if the courts eventually clear him of all allegations but insisted that the Senate should postpone any confirmation until then.
“If he is cleared by the court, nobody will be happier than those of us advocating for justice. However, until that happens, we believe the Senate should hold on to the confirmation,” she added.
Amira further warned that the coalition would sustain its campaign if the Senate proceeds with the confirmation despite the pending litigation.
She said the group could also notify the country where Fasina may eventually be posted as ambassador about the unresolved allegations.
Also speaking during the protest, co-convener of the coalition, Dr Ernest Ogaze, argued that the Senate should reject the nomination outright instead of merely suspending the confirmation process.
“We are saying clearly that the nomination of Professor Abayomi should be declined outright. We are not saying it should merely be suspended. It should be rejected,” Ogaze said.
According to him, confirming the nominee while the cases remain before the courts could further damage Nigeria’s global image.
“Nigeria’s reputation is already facing challenges. Proceeding with this appointment despite unresolved allegations will only worsen the situation. The National Assembly should decline this nomination without hesitation,” he said.
Ogaze noted that although every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the existence of two pending court cases involving allegations of sexual harassment should compel lawmakers to exercise caution.
He also cited what he described as a precedent involving the 2009 ambassadorial nomination of Prof Tunde Adeniran, urging the Senate to apply the same standard in Fasina’s case.
Joining the call, the Feminist Manifesto Conference urged the Senate to suspend the confirmation process, citing ongoing civil and criminal proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
Speaking on behalf of the women’s rights coalition, Emmanuella Azu disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate committee handling the ambassadorial screening.
She said confirming the appointment before the conclusion of the legal proceedings would send the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I stand on behalf of the Feminist Manifesto Conference, a coalition of more than 500 civil society organisations. We are asking the Senate to halt the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina. He should not be confirmed for an ambassadorial position while allegations of sexual misconduct against him remain before the courts,” Azu said.
