A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the ambassadorial nomination of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina.

The organisations cited unresolved allegations and ongoing judicial proceedings linked to the former university administrator.

The coalition, comprising Hope Behind Bars Africa, Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion, Gender Mobile Initiative, BraveHeart Initiative, Speak Out Africa Initiative, Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocate of Rule of Law and Human Dignity, made the call in a statement issued on Friday.

The groups argued that proceeding with the nomination while the allegations remain before the courts could undermine public confidence in accountability, the rule of law and Nigeria’s commitment to protecting victims of sexual harassment.

The controversy surrounding Fasina dates back to January 2025 when allegations of sexual harassment involving a female staff member of FUOYE became public, prompting petitions by several civil society organisations and an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

However, the FUOYE Governing Council later cleared Fasina of the allegations after an internal investigation, saying it found no evidence of sexual harassment and directing the complainant to apologise to the university.

According to the coalition, although Fasina enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence, public appointments, particularly diplomatic appointments, should be guided not only by the absence of a criminal conviction but also by considerations of integrity, public confidence and institutional credibility.

“The issue before the Nigerian public is therefore not whether Professor Abayomi Fasina has been found guilty by a court of law. The constitutional presumption of innocence remains sacrosanct and must be respected.

“Rather, the issue is whether it is appropriate, prudent and consistent with the principles of public accountability to nominate an individual currently facing unresolved allegations and ongoing judicial scrutiny to represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the international stage,” the statement read.

The coalition said the allegations against the former vice-chancellor had attracted widespread public concern and had been reported to ICPC, which it said carried out investigations following petitions by civil society organisations.

It further alleged that criminal proceedings arising from the matter, as well as civil cases relating to alleged sexual harassment and workplace victimisation, remain before the courts.

The groups warned that elevating an individual whose conduct remains the subject of judicial scrutiny could create the perception that accountability mechanisms can be overlooked for persons in positions of influence.

They also expressed concern that the nomination could discourage survivors of sexual harassment from reporting abuse and weaken public confidence in institutions responsible for ensuring justice and accountability.

Citing Sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol, the coalition said appointments to high public office should reflect the country’s commitment to dignity, equality and protection against gender-based discrimination.

The coalition called on President Tinubu to reconsider and withdraw Fasina’s nomination pending the determination of all court cases relating to the allegations.

It also urged the National Assembly to subject the nomination to rigorous scrutiny, while calling on relevant public institutions to strengthen survivor-centred justice and institutional accountability.