A coalition of civil society organisations has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the ambassadorial nomination of the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, Professor Abayomi Fasina.
The coalition, in a statement on Friday, cited unresolved allegations and ongoing court cases involving the former university don.
The groups said affirming Fasina’s nomination while legal proceedings are still pending could erode public confidence in accountability, the rule of law and Nigeria’s commitment to addressing sexual harassment.
The coalition comprises Hope Behind Bars Africa, Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion, Gender Mobile Initiative, BraveHeart Initiative, Speak Out Africa Initiative, Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocate of Rule of Law and Human Dignity.
According to groups, the controversy surrounding Fasina began in January 2025 after allegations of sexual harassment involving a female staff member of FUOYE surfaced.
The allegations sparked petitions from several civil society organisations and an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
“The issue before the Nigerian public is therefore not whether Professor Abayomi Fasina has been found guilty by a court of law. The constitutional presumption of innocence remains sacrosanct and must be respected.
“Rather, the issue is whether it is appropriate, prudent and consistent with the principles of public accountability to nominate an individual currently facing unresolved allegations and ongoing judicial scrutiny to represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the international stage,” the statement said.
DAILY POST recalls that President Tinubu on Wednesday sent the name of Professor Fasina to the Senate for confirmation as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.
