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 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite a heated debate over allegations of sexual misconduct previously levelled against him.

The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which recommended Fasina’s nomination after screening him and reviewing petitions submitted both in support of and against his appointment.

Presenting the committee’s report on behalf of its Chairman, Senator Sani Bello, Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South) said the committee found no legal or constitutional grounds to reject the nominee.

According to Lalong, the committee carefully considered the petitions challenging Fasina’s nomination and noted that the allegations had already been investigated by the FUOYE Governing Council, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

He stated that all the relevant authorities cleared the nominee after finding the allegations to be unsubstantiated.

“The committee received petitions against the nominee as well as counter-petitions supporting his nomination. The accusations were investigated by competent authorities, including the University Governing Council and the Nigerian Police, which found the allegations to be false,” Lalong told the Senate.

He added that Fasina also received security clearance from the DSS and the police, while his record of service in academia further strengthened the committee’s recommendation.

“The committee had no doubt in recommending Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina for confirmation as a Non-Career Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

However, the recommendation sparked strong opposition from some senators during plenary.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) urged the Senate to suspend consideration of the nomination until all allegations against Fasina were conclusively resolved by the courts.

While acknowledging the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence, Oshiomhole argued that confirming the nominee amid such allegations could undermine public confidence and send the wrong message, particularly to women.

“I am aware, and it is public knowledge, that this gentleman has been accused by two women. Nobody is saying he is guilty; he deserves to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But, as a matter of sensitivity, I believe the Senate should allow him to clear himself before the courts before endorsing him,” Oshiomhole said.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North), who represents the constituency where FUOYE is located and also serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee, also expressed reservations about the nomination.

Fasuyi said he was familiar with the controversy surrounding the case and insisted that justice had not been served.

“I know about this case. I also know about the woman involved. She did not get justice. This is a very sensitive issue that we cannot simply sweep under the carpet,” he said.

He subsequently called for further investigation by the Senate Committee on Rules and Business before any final decision on the nomination.

Responding to the concerns, Senator Lalong maintained that the committee had not been presented with any documentary evidence showing that Fasina was standing trial before any court.

He argued that allegations alone could not serve as sufficient grounds for rejecting a nominee who had been cleared by the relevant investigative authorities.

“It is not every allegation that will stop the proceedings of the Senate. Until a court of competent jurisdiction delivers judgment, an allegation does not amount to guilt. If a court eventually convicts him, appropriate action can then be taken,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also defended the committee’s recommendation, stressing that the Senate was constitutionally bound by the principle of presumption of innocence enshrined in Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

Akpabio noted that the complainant at the centre of the allegations neither appeared before the committee nor submitted any evidence during the screening process.

“The report before us states that the nominee is highly qualified, articulate and recommended for confirmation. A man is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. We cannot fail to discharge our constitutional responsibility merely because allegations have been made against him,” the Senate President said.

Supporting the committee’s recommendation, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) cautioned lawmakers against turning the Senate into a forum for determining matters beyond its constitutional mandate.

He explained that the responsibility of the screening committee was limited to assessing a nominee’s qualifications, competence and whether the individual had any criminal conviction, rather than adjudicating on unresolved allegations.

“The committee is not constitutionally empowered to investigate personal allegations outside its mandate. Matters of that nature remain within the jurisdiction of the courts and relevant investigative agencies,” Ningi stated.

As deliberations continued, Senator Fasuyi attempted to withdraw his signature from the committee’s report, but Akpabio ruled that such a move could not be made during plenary.

The Senate President advised him to follow the appropriate parliamentary procedure by presenting an affidavit when the Votes and Proceedings are considered.

Following the debate, Akpabio put the committee’s recommendation to a voice vote.

Although the initial response from lawmakers appeared divided, the Senate President ruled that the “ayes” had carried the motion. After repeating the vote, he again declared that the majority supported the confirmation.

He thereafter announced that the Senate had approved the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a Non-Career Ambassador and High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate on Tuesday cautioned Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against making statements that could undermine the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping, following his call on the United Nations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The caution formed part of the resolutions reached by the upper chamber after considering a motion sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, as well as the sacrifices made by security personnel during the operation.

Lawmakers commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to secure the unconditional release of the victims after they were abducted by heavily armed terrorists on May 15, 2026.

The Senate noted that the rescue operation, which lasted more than 50 days, culminated in the successful release of 39 pupils and seven teachers on July 10, 2026. The operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised during coordinated security operations.

According to the lawmakers, the successful mission demonstrated the increasing professionalism, operational efficiency and effective inter-agency collaboration among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions involved in the rescue effort.

Despite the successful outcome, the Senate observed that the operation came at a huge cost. It paid tribute to Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, who lost their lives during the rescue mission. The chamber also recognised the bravery of Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain, who sustained injuries while participating in the operation.

The Senate further expressed sadness over the death of one of the abducted teachers while in captivity but described the successful rescue of the remaining victims as a significant achievement that had restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, especially parents, pupils and school communities.

As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements due to the families of the fallen security personnel.

The lawmakers also called for sustained investment in the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen their effectiveness in combating insecurity across the country.

In addition, the Senate urged the Federal Government to intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups through the deployment of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence capabilities, better logistics and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel.

The upper chamber further called on security agencies to sustain efforts towards securing the release of other Nigerians still being held captive in different parts of the country.

The caution directed at Governor Makinde was introduced during the debate by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District. Lawmakers stressed the need for public officials to support and encourage ongoing security operations through responsible public statements that strengthen national efforts against insecurity.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to consider and pass a bill seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and re-enact it as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, as part of efforts to address persistent delays in criminal trials and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s justice system.

The President’s request was conveyed in a letter read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Thursday.

In the letter, President Tinubu explained that the proposed legislation is designed to provide a more effective legal framework for the administration of criminal justice in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal courts across the country.

He stated that the bill also seeks to establish an Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council to strengthen oversight, improve compliance with the provisions of the law, and ensure its effective implementation by all institutions involved in the criminal justice process.

According to the President, the primary objective of the proposed legislation is to enhance the management of criminal justice institutions, promote the speedy dispensation of justice, protect society from crime, and safeguard the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.

President Tinubu further noted that the bill is intended to ensure greater accountability among courts, law enforcement agencies and other authorities responsible for the administration of criminal justice by requiring strict compliance with the provisions of the Act.

He explained that the decision to repeal and re-enact the 2015 law followed a comprehensive review of challenges that have limited its effectiveness over the years.

Among the identified challenges are prolonged delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, inadequate deployment of technology in criminal proceedings, poor coordination among criminal justice institutions, inefficient case management systems and weak mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the existing law.

The President informed the Senate that the proposed bill was reviewed by a team of experienced law officers and legislative experts who incorporated reforms aimed at addressing these shortcomings.

He added that the legislation reflects recent judicial pronouncements, technological advancements, evolving practices in criminal justice administration and international best practices in justice sector reform.

According to him, the bill further strengthens the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council and introduces additional measures to ensure more effective implementation of the law by relevant institutions.

President Tinubu urged the Senate to accord the bill expeditious legislative consideration in view of its importance to strengthening Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Following the presentation of the President’s request, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative processing, directing the committee to report back to the Senate within four weeks for further consideration.