Senate confirms ex-FUOYE VC as ambassador despite sexual harassment allegations

 
By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
 
Abuja
 
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Prof. Abayomi Fasina, former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, as a non-career ambassador, after a heated debate over sexual harassment allegations against him.
 
Sen. Simon Lalong, representing Plateau South, presented the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of the chairman, Sen. Sani Bello of Niger North.
 
Lalong told the Senate that the committee received petitions both in support of and against Fasina’s nomination. He said the allegations had been investigated by the FUOYE governing council and the Nigeria Police Force, and both found them to be false.
 
According to Lalong, Fasina was also cleared by the Department of State Services and the police. “With all these clearances, the nominee performed wonderfully well,” he said, adding that the committee had no doubt in recommending his confirmation.
 
However, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North opposed the confirmation. He argued that the Senate should allow the nominee to clear himself in court first. “For the Senate to endorse him will amount to being insensitive to the feelings of women,” he said.
 
Sen. Cyril Fasuyi of Ekiti North, a member of the committee, also urged caution. “I know about this case; I also know about the woman in question. That woman did not get justice,” he said, calling for further investigation by the Committee on Rules and Business.
 
Responding, Lalong said no court documents or evidence of pending proceedings were presented to the committee. “It is not every allegation that will stop proceedings of senate,” he said.
 
Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the committee’s position. He noted that the complainant neither appeared before the committee nor submitted evidence, and that suspending the confirmation would violate Section 36(5) of the Constitution on presumption of innocence.
 
Sen. Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central said the Senate’s role was limited to evaluating qualifications and convictions. “If there are allegations outside this purview, then it is not the business of a parliamentarian to bring this matter up,” he said.
 
After 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 is hereby approved,” he declared.