Petition Against Tinubu's Ambassador Nominee Over Trial

A coalition of 300 civil society organizations, led by Womanifesto, has submitted a petition to the Senate, urging them to block the confirmation of Prof. Abayomi Sundai Fasina as Nigeria's ambassador. The petition cites a pending criminal case involving allegations of sexual harassment against Fasina, who is a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye Ekiti.

The coalition argues that confirming an individual facing such serious allegations would undermine public confidence in Nigeria's diplomatic representation. The petition was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Abubakar Sani Bello.

The coalition emphasizes that the integrity of the highest diplomatic office should not be compromised by individuals facing criminal proceedings. The case against Fasina is set for a final determination in court on June 25, 2026.

The petition also references a previous court judgment that found breaches of fair hearing rights in a related case.