Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has cautioned against probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting, warning that it could embarrass key officials in President Tinubu’s administration. The investigation follows her recent suspension from the Senate, which she claims was due to her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN) has advised against investigations into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, suggesting that such actions could bring embarrassment to high-ranking officials within President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Reports indicate that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have initiated inquiries regarding her attendance, which occurred without an official nomination.
The controversy arises from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate, which she disclosed during the international meeting. Senate President Godswill Akpabio accused her of embarrassing the government by presenting this issue at the IPU. The senator retaliates by asserting that her suspension was retaliatory, stemming from her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
In a statement on Sunday, Falana characterized the investigation as a misplaced effort that risks subjecting Nigeria to “needless embarrassment and undeserved ridicule.” He emphasized that while Akpabio suggests the senator’s actions embarrass the Nigerian government, it is in fact the proposed investigation that poses a risk of humiliation to the nation.
Falana further suggested that the security agencies should review historical incidents, advising against repeating the mistakes of the past, particularly with respect to the Sani Abacha military regime’s investigations into illegal travel. He reiterated that the inquiry into Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s external reporting of Senate affairs would likely reflect poorly on key officials within the Tinubu administration, referencing former accusations against them for similar conduct.
In summary, Femi Falana has strongly advised against probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her attendance at the IPU meeting, arguing that such scrutiny could lead to embarrassment for Nigeria and its officials. This situation underscores the complex dynamics of political accountability and the potential implications of scrutiny against public figures in government.
Original Source: solacebase.com
