Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has warned that any official investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York could cause unnecessary embarrassment to Nigeria.
Falana’s statement follows allegations by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who claimed that the senator’s actions humiliated both the government and the Nigerian people. Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and reported her suspension from the Senate to the international body.
Controversy Surrounding Natasha’s Suspension
The controversy began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was involved in a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio in the Senate chamber. Shortly after, she was suspended for alleged gross misconduct. During the IPU meeting on March 11, she stated that her suspension was an attempt to silence her over the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
Reports indicate that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have launched an investigation into how the Kogi senator attended the IPU event without an official nomination.
Falana’s Response to the Investigation
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana criticized the security probe, arguing that it would bring unnecessary scrutiny to Nigeria on the global stage.
“Finally, it is public knowledge that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of embarrassing the government and people of Nigeria by reporting her suspension to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Contrary to this claim, it is the official probe into the circumstances of her trip by security forces that will expose Nigeria to needless embarrassment and undeserved ridicule.
Therefore, the DSS and NIA may study past reports on illegal travel investigations during the Sani Abacha military junta before embarking on this futile attempt to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for taking Nigeria’s ‘internal affairs’ to the international stage,” Falana stated.
Political Implications and Public Reactions
The probe into Senator Natasha’s IPU participation has sparked debates about women’s representation in leadership, freedom of speech, and the role of the Nigerian Senate in addressing internal disputes.
While some political figures believe the senator’s actions could disrupt the peace and unity of the Senate, others argue that the investigation itself is a diversion from more pressing national issues.
With growing public interest in this matter, the outcome of the security agencies’ investigation will likely shape future discussions on political transparency, gender equality, and human rights in Nigeria.
