By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, as a Non-Career Ambassador, despite a heated debate over past allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
The confirmation followed extensive deliberations during plenary, with some lawmakers expressing concern over the implications of approving the nomination while others argued that the Senate was bound by the Constitution and the rule of law.
Leading the opposition was Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Ekiti North, whose senatorial district hosts the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. Fasuyi argued that confirming Fasina’s nomination would send the wrong message to the people of Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti
However, Senator Adamu Aliero, Kebbi Central, raised a Point of Order under Order 52(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, arguing that lawmakers should refrain from debating issues that are the subject of pending litigation before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Supporting the committee’s recommendation, Senator Abdul Ningi, Bauchi Central, said the Senate Committee had thoroughly considered the nomination and submitted its report.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that under the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Akpabio maintained that the Senate could not deny a nominee confirmation based solely on allegations that had not resulted in a judicial conviction.
