A coalition of over 300 civil society organisations, led by the group Womanifesto, has formally requested that the Senate block the confirmation of Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina as an ambassador.
The request is based on several pending criminal and civil cases involving allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and human rights violations.
The coalition has called upon the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, to refrain from recommending the confirmation until all ongoing court cases against the nominee have reached a final determination.
In a petition dated June 25, 2026, and submitted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the coalition argued that the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, is not a suitable candidate to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
The groups detailed that Fasina faces a sexual harassment case at the National Industrial Court in Abuja—supported by 37 minutes of audio evidence from a female staffer—as well as a workplace victimisation case at the NIC, Ikoyi Division.
Additionally, they highlighted a N40m court judgment in the case of Akingbe versus FUOYE (NICN/AK/58/2018), where his panel was indicted for violating fair hearing rights and making unsubstantiated plagiarism claims.
The petition further noted that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has finalized its investigations and initiated criminal proceedings against Fasina, which are currently pending in court.
Signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, co-convener of Womanifesto, the document asserts that an ambassador functions as a representative of the nation’s values and must uphold the highest standards of integrity.
“Confirming an individual facing criminal proceedings initiated by ICPC to one of the highest diplomatic offices risks diminishing public confidence in accountability mechanisms,” the petition reads.
The organisations cautioned that moving forward with the confirmation would stand in opposition to Nigeria’s commitments under sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the VAPP Act 2015, which mandates up to two years in prison for sexual harassment.
“The issue before this Committee concerns public confidence in the rule of law. It concerns whether the Senate will exercise its constitutional responsibility in a manner that preserves public trust in democratic institutions,” the petition added.
Copies of the correspondence were sent to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, regarding the nomination previously referred to the Senate for screening by President Bola Tinubu.
The petition received support from various prominent groups, including FIDA Nigeria, Bring Back Our Girls, Yiaga Africa, the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), NAWOJ, and WACOL, along with notable figures such as Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and Prof. Mojubaolu Okome, representing over 290 organizations and diaspora groups.
