A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the ambassadorial nomination of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, citing unresolved allegations and ongoing court cases involving the former university administrator.
The coalition, comprising 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, made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the groups, confirming 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 controversy surrounding Fasina began in January 2025 after allegations of sexual harassment involving a female staff member of FUOYE surfaced. The allegations prompted petitions from several civil society organisations and an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
However, the FUOYE Governing Council later cleared Fasina following an internal investigation, stating that it found no evidence of sexual harassment and directing the complainant to apologise to the university.
While acknowledging that Fasina is constitutionally presumed innocent until proven guilty, the coalition argued that appointments to sensitive public offices should also be based on integrity, public trust and institutional credibility.
“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 coalition said the allegations had generated widespread public concern and were formally reported to the ICPC, which launched an investigation following petitions by civil society organisations.
It further claimed that criminal proceedings arising from the matter, as well as civil suits relating to alleged sexual harassment and workplace victimisation, are still pending before the courts.
The groups warned that elevating an individual whose conduct remains under judicial scrutiny could create the impression that influential persons are shielded from accountability.
They also expressed concern that the nomination could discourage survivors of sexual harassment from reporting abuse and weaken public confidence in institutions responsible for justice and accountability.
Citing Sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol, the coalition maintained that appointments to high public office should reflect the country’s commitment to dignity, equality and protection against gender-based discrimination.
The coalition urged President Tinubu to suspend and withdraw Fasina’s nomination until all pending court cases relating to the allegations are concluded.
It also called on the National Assembly to subject the nomination to thorough scrutiny and urged relevant institutions to strengthen survivor-centred justice and institutional accountability.
