CISLAC Calls for Review of Ambassadorial Nomination Amid Corruption Concerns

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the National Assembly, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Government to immediately review and reject the nomination of Ambassador Ayodele Oke from Oyo State as a non-career ambassador.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently requested Senate confirmation of three non-career ambassadorial nominees: Kayode Are of Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu of Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke of Oyo State. The request comes nearly two years after all Nigerian ambassadors were recalled in September 2023.

CISLAC said it is deeply concerned that Ambassador Oke, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his wife over serious corruption allegations, has been nominated for a sensitive diplomatic posting.

Ambassador Oke, a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was declared wanted after failing to appear in court to answer fraud charges. On 7 February 2019, Justice Chukwujeku Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued an arrest warrant for him and his wife after an application by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo.

The couple is linked to the discovery of 43,449,947 dollars, 27,800 pounds and 23,218,000 naira found in an apartment on Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, in April 2017.

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, described the nomination as troubling, embarrassing and damaging to Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability and anti-corruption.

He said the move could undermine the work of anti-corruption agencies. According to him, when individuals under investigation are cleared for political appointments, it weakens the efforts of the EFCC, ICPC and other anti-corruption institutions. He stressed that the government must not appear to undermine its own agencies, which “work tirelessly to ensure that persons involved in corruption and unethical conduct are held accountable and are not rewarded with public office.”

Rafsanjani added: “At a time when Nigeria is trying to rebuild its global reputation and strengthen diplomatic ties, appointing someone with an active corruption case and an outstanding arrest warrant is disturbing and totally unacceptable. This nomination sends a wrong signal to the international community that Nigeria rewards impunity rather than upholding the rule of law.”

He continued: “Ambassadorial appointments are strategic. They represent Nigeria’s image, values and credibility abroad. Appointing an individual declared wanted for alleged money laundering and criminal breach of trust undermines the fight against corruption and embarrasses the nation diplomatically.”

He called on the National Assembly to act decisively, saying: “We urge the Senate to demonstrate institutional integrity by rejecting this nomination. The DSS and other security agencies must clarify how an individual on a watchlist passed security vetting. Nigeria cannot afford to elevate persons with unresolved criminal allegations to sensitive diplomatic posts.”

Rafsanjani further emphasised that the National Assembly must protect the sanctity of public office by ensuring that individuals linked to corruption, terrorism or other serious allegations are not considered for appointment.

CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency and good governance, urging President Tinubu to reconsider the nomination in the interest of Nigeria’s international reputation.

Rafsanjani concluded: “Nigeria must not send envoys who carry the burden of unresolved corruption allegations. Our foreign missions must reflect the highest standards of integrity.”

The statement was signed by Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria.