Senate Confirms Ex-FUOYE VC Fasina As Ambassador Amid Heated Debate

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

The confirmation followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), on behalf of Senator Sani Bello (Niger North), chairman of the committee.

Lalong said the committee received petitions both against and in support of Fasina’s nomination.

He said the allegations against the former vice-chancellor had been investigated by the university’s governing council and the Nigeria Police Force, both of which found them to be false.

He added that Fasina was also cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police.

“With all these clearances, the nominee performed wonderfully well, especially his record of service within the university,” Lalong said.

“The committee had no doubt in recommending that the Senate confirm the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) opposed the confirmation, arguing that the Senate should allow the nominee clear himself in court before approving the appointment.

“Nobody is saying he is guilty; he deserves to be innocent until proven guilty,” Oshiomhole said.

“But, as a matter of sensitivity, a man who faces cases like that, for the Senate to endorse him, will amount to being insensitive to the feelings of women.

“So I thought that in matters like this, it is even more prudent that we wait and ask the guy to clear himself before the courts.”

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

“I know about this case; I also know about the woman in question,” he said.

“That woman did not get justice.

“This is a very sensitive issue that we cannot just sweep under the carpet.”

He suggested that the Senate Committee on Rules and Business investigate the matter further before any confirmation.

Responding, Lalong said no court documents or evidence of pending proceedings were presented to the committee during the screening.

“It is not every allegation that will stop proceedings of Senate,” he said.

“All allegations, before a court of competent jurisdiction, without judgment of a court, do not make somebody guilty.

“If the court gives judgment, they will remove him.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the committee had properly discharged its constitutional responsibility and noted that the complainant neither appeared before the committee nor submitted any evidence.

“The report says the man is very articulate, overqualified and should be cleared by the Senate,” Akpabio said.

He added that suspending the confirmation over unproven allegations would violate Section 36(5) of the Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence.

“A man is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved,” he said.

“So, we cannot, on the basis of an allegation that he has been charged to court, fail to perform our constitutional responsibility.”

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged lawmakers not to exceed the committee’s constitutional mandate by debating matters outside its scope.

“The Senate rules and the Constitution permit the committee to evaluate your mental ability, your educational qualifications, whether or not you’ve been convicted,” he said.

“So if there are allegations outside this purview, then it is not the business of a parliamentarian to bring this matter up for discussion.”

Following the debate, Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote.

“Accordingly, the appointment and nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby approved,” Akpabio said.