The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner, insisting that allegations not backed by judicial findings or credible evidence cannot be used to deny a presidential nominee confirmation.
Legal
The confirmation followed a spirited debate during plenary after concerns were raised about allegations against the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
Presenting the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs’ report, Chairman Senator Mohammed Sani Bello, represented by Senator Simon Lalong, said the panel thoroughly screened the nominee and considered petitions submitted both in support of and against his nomination.
According to the committee, investigations by the university’s Governing Council and the Nigeria Police found no evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Legal
“The accusation against Professor Fasina was investigated by competent authorities, including the university governing council and the Nigerian Police, and they both found the allegations to be false,” the committee stated.
The panel further informed the Senate that no court judgment or documentary evidence establishing wrongdoing was presented during the screening exercise.
The confirmation process briefly stalled when Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) urged the Senate to suspend consideration of the nomination, saying the allegations were well known in his constituency, where the university is located.
“The woman approached me and told me what happened. The woman did not get justice,” Fasuyi said, urging that the petitioner be invited before lawmakers for further investigation.
His position, however, was challenged by several senators, who maintained that the Senate must be guided by the Constitution and the findings of its committees rather than unproven allegations.
Leading the defence of the committee’s recommendation, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno cited Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence.
LegislativeBranch
“A man is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. We cannot halt our constitutional responsibility simply because of allegations,” Monguno said.
He also referred to Order 52(5) of the Senate Standing Rules on matters that are sub judice, cautioning lawmakers against comments capable of prejudicing judicial proceedings.
Senator Abdul Ningi also urged the Senate to respect the work of its committee system.
“This is a parliament with a committee system. The matter was referred to the committee, and they have come up with a report,” he said.
“We must not destroy somebody’s career, a professor of note, because there was an allegation that has not been proven up till now. If anybody has issues, go to court.”
