The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian Senate and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately reject the nomination of former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, as a non-career ambassador, citing ongoing corruption allegations against him.
In a statement released on Thursday, CISLAC raised concerns about the unresolved corruption case involving Oke, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naijaonpoint recalls that Oke’s nomination, alongside two other non-career ambassadorial nominees, was forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu.
The nominees, Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo), are part of a batch of ambassadorial appointments made nearly two years after the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023.
However, CISLAC expressed strong objections to Oke’s inclusion in the list, referencing his longstanding corruption case.
The former NIA DG, along with his wife, was declared wanted after failing to appear before a Federal High Court in Lagos to face charges related to the discovery of $43.4 million, £27,800, and ₦23.2 million found in an Ikoyi apartment in April 2017.
The group’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who is also the Head of Transparency International Nigeria, described Oke’s nomination as “troubling, embarrassing, and a severe dent on Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption.”
“It is disturbing and totally unacceptable that someone with an active corruption case and an outstanding arrest warrant is being considered for a strategic diplomatic position,” Rafsanjani stated.
Rafsanjani added that the nomination sends the wrong message to the international community, implying that Nigeria rewards impunity rather than upholding the rule of law.
“This nomination sends the wrong signal to the international community that Nigeria rewards impunity rather than upholding the rule of law,” Rafsanjani said, emphasising that allowing individuals with unresolved criminal allegations to secure political appointments undermines the work of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He added, “When people with unresolved criminal allegations are cleared for public appointments, it weakens the efforts of our anti-corruption institutions. These agencies work tirelessly to ensure that those involved in corruption are held accountable, not rewarded.”
The group also expressed concern about the integrity of the security vetting process that led to Oke’s nomination. Rafsanjani called on the DSS and other security agencies to explain how an individual who is reportedly on a watchlist could pass their screening process.
“The DSS and other security agencies must explain how an individual reportedly on a watchlist passed their screening,” Rafsanjani said.
Rafsanjani stressed that ambassadorial appointments play a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s global image and reputation. He argued that appointing someone with a corruption case hanging over their head would embarrass the nation diplomatically.
He said, “Ambassadorial appointments represent Nigeria’s values and credibility abroad. Appointing someone declared wanted for alleged money laundering and criminal breach of trust embarrasses the nation diplomatically.”
CISLAC urged the Nigerian Senate to take a firm stand and reject Oke’s nomination, calling on lawmakers to fulfil their duty to protect the integrity of public office.
He said, “We urge the National Assembly to rise to the occasion and reject this nomination,” Rafsanjani said. “Lawmakers have a responsibility to protect the sanctity of public office.”
CISLAC also called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the nomination, stressing that Nigeria should only send representatives with the highest integrity to foreign missions.
Rafsanjani added, “Nigeria must not send envoys who carry the burden of unresolved corruption allegations. Our foreign missions must reflect transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of public service.”
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