Scores of protesters on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly in Abuja, calling on the Senate to suspend the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassadorial nominee over pending court cases involving allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation.
The demonstrators, under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), urged lawmakers to allow the judicial process to run its course before proceeding with the confirmation of the nominee.
President Bola Tinubu recently forwarded a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation as part of efforts to fill Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad after months of vacancies. However, Fasina’s nomination has continued to attract opposition from some civil society organisations.
At the National Assembly complex, protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Suspend the Ambassadorial Appointment of Prof Fasina Now” and “Nigerian Senate, Don’t Confirm Prof Abayomi Fasina’s Ambassadorial Appointment,” while chanting solidarity songs.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, legal practitioner Adeyemo Amira said the nominee is involved in pending cases before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja, stressing that the protest was aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service rather than targeting any individual.
“Our call to the Senate is simple. Where there are serious allegations that are already before a competent court, the confirmation process should be suspended until the legal proceedings are concluded,” she said.
Amira noted that the coalition was not asking the Senate to determine the nominee’s guilt or innocence but to exercise caution while the courts handle the matters.
“We are not asking the Senate to convict Prof Abayomi Fasina. Only the courts have the constitutional authority to decide such matters. We simply believe the confirmation should wait until the judicial process is completed,” she added.
The coalition also expressed solidarity with individuals who have spoken out against alleged sexual harassment, insisting that their concerns should not be ignored because of the influence or status of those involved.
“As Nigerians, we have a responsibility to ensure that people who report sexual misconduct are heard and protected. Justice must be allowed to take its course without intimidation,” Amira said.
She further stated that if the nominee is eventually cleared by the courts, the coalition would have no objection to his appointment.
“If the courts clear him, we will gladly support his confirmation. But until then, we believe it is only proper for the Senate to put the process on hold,” she added.
Also addressing journalists, co-convener of the protest, Dr Ernest Ogaze, argued that the Senate should reject the nomination outright rather than merely suspend it.
According to him, confirming the appointment while the court cases remain unresolved could negatively affect Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Nigeria’s image is already facing challenges. Confirming an ambassadorial nominee while serious legal matters remain pending could further damage the country’s reputation abroad,” Ogaze said.
He acknowledged the legal principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty but maintained that the Senate should exercise caution in view of the ongoing litigation.
Ogaze also cited previous ambassadorial nomination cases, urging lawmakers to adopt what he described as established standards when considering appointments involving unresolved controversies.
The protest also received support from the Feminist Manifesto Conference, a coalition of over 500 civil society organisations.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Emmanuella Azu disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate committee handling ambassadorial confirmations, urging them to halt Fasina’s confirmation until the pending cases are resolved.
She argued that confirming the nominee while legal proceedings remain ongoing would send the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Senate is expected to continue screening ambassadorial nominees in the coming days, although it has not officially responded to the protesters’ demands.
PUNCHONLINE