The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has asked the Senate and the Department of State Services (DSS) to reject the nomination of former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, as a non-career ambassador, citing unresolved corruption allegations.
President Bola Tinubu recently forwarded the names of three non-career ambassadorial nominees Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo) — to the Senate for confirmation, nearly two years after all ambassadors were recalled in September 2023.
In a statement on Thursday, CISLAC said Oke’s nomination was inappropriate given his pending case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The organisation recalled that Oke and his wife were declared wanted after failing to appear before a Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations linked to the discovery of $43.4 million, £27,800 and ₦23.2 million in an Ikoyi apartment in April 2017.
According to CISLAC, Justice Chukwujeku Aneke issued a warrant for their arrest on February 7, 2019.
CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described Oke’s nomination as “troubling” and “a severe dent on Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability.”
He said it was unacceptable for someone with an active corruption case and an outstanding arrest warrant to be considered for a major diplomatic role, warning that the move “sends the wrong signal” to the international community.
Rafsanjani argued that approving such nominees undermines the work of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. He also questioned how Oke passed security vetting, urging the DSS to explain the process.
He stressed that ambassadorial appointments shape Nigeria’s global image and should only be given to individuals of the highest integrity.
CISLAC urged the Senate to reject the nomination and called on President Tinubu to withdraw Oke’s name. “Nigeria must not send envoys who carry the burden of unresolved corruption allegations,” Rafsanjani said, adding that foreign missions must reflect transparency and accountability.
