The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian 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 due to unresolved corruption allegations.

President Bola Tinubu had forwarded three non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate—Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo)—nearly two years after the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023.

CISLAC, in a statement on Thursday, described Oke’s nomination as “troubling, embarrassing, and a severe dent on Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption.”

Oke and his wife were declared wanted after failing to appear before a Federal High Court in Lagos to answer charges linked to the discovery of $43.4 million, £27,800, and ₦23.2 million in an Ikoyi apartment in April 2017. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued on 7 February 2019 by Justice Chukwujeku Aneke.

CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, highlighted the implications of Oke’s nomination:

• “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.”
• “This nomination sends the wrong signal to the international community that Nigeria rewards impunity rather than upholding the rule of law.”
• “Allowing individuals under investigation to secure political appointments undermines anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC.”

Rafsanjani also questioned the integrity of the security vetting process, asking how Oke reportedly on a watchlist passed screening by the DSS and other security agencies.

He emphasized the diplomatic significance of ambassadorial roles:

“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 Senate to take a firm stand and reject the nomination, and called on President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment. Rafsanjani concluded:

“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.”