Senate Confirms Fasina as Non-Career Ambassador Despite Sexual Harassment Allegations

By Haruna Salami

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Professor Abayomi Fasina, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), as a non-career ambassador, despite a heated debate over past sexual harassment allegations against him.

The confirmation came after the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs presented its report through Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), standing in for the committee chairman, Senator Sani Bello (Niger North).

Presenting the report, Lalong disclosed that the committee received petitions both opposing and supporting Fasina’s nomination during the screening process.

He explained that the sexual harassment allegations had been investigated by FUOYE’s Governing Council and the Nigeria Police Force, with both concluding that the claims were unfounded. He added that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police also cleared the nominee.

According to Lalong, Fasina demonstrated an outstanding record of service during his time at the university, leaving the committee with no hesitation in recommending his confirmation as a non-career ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) opposed the recommendation, arguing that although Fasina should be presumed innocent, it would be more appropriate for the Senate to wait until the legal issues surrounding the allegations were fully resolved before approving his appointment.

He maintained that confirming the nominee while such allegations remained a subject of public concern could be viewed as insensitive, particularly to women, and urged the Senate to allow the courts to determine the matter first.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, also called for caution, saying the controversy was well known in his constituency.

He said he was familiar with both the case and the complainant, insisting that the issue was too sensitive to be ignored. Fasuyi suggested that the Senate Committee on Rules and Business should further examine the matter before any confirmation.

In response, Lalong told lawmakers that no court documents or evidence of any pending legal proceedings against Fasina were presented to the committee during the screening exercise.

He stressed that mere allegations could not prevent the Senate from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, adding that only a judgment delivered by a competent court could establish guilt. He noted that if a court later ruled against the nominee, appropriate action could be taken.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the committee’s recommendation, stating that it had fulfilled its constitutional duty, pointing out that the complainant neither appeared before the committee nor submitted evidence to support the allegations.

Akpabio said the committee found Fasina to be highly qualified and deserving of confirmation. He further argued that withholding approval based on unproven allegations would violate Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged lawmakers to remain within the limits of the committee’s constitutional mandate. He explained that the committee’s responsibility was to assess nominees’ qualifications, competence, and criminal record, not to deliberate on allegations outside its statutory scope.

Following the debate, Senate President Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote, after which the Senate approved the appointment of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.