Why Probing Senator Natasha’s IPU Attendance Will Embarrass Nigeria – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has cautioned that any official investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York could bring needless embarrassment and ridicule to Nigeria.

Falana’s warning comes amid reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have launched a probe into how the Kogi senator participated in the global parliamentary event without an official nomination. The investigation follows claims by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that Akpoti-Uduaghan humiliated the Nigerian government by reporting her suspension to the IPU.

The senator, who recently accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, was suspended from the Senate over what was described as gross misconduct following a dispute with the Senate President on the floor of the chamber. Speaking at the IPU meeting on March 11, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her suspension was politically motivated and aimed at silencing her over the harassment allegation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana rejected the premise of the investigation and warned that the probe itself could backfire.

“Contrary to the jaundiced views of the Senate leader, it is the official probe of the circumstances of her trip by security forces that will expose Nigeria to needless embarrassment and undeserved ridicule,” Falana said.

He urged the security agencies to reflect on similar practices during the military era before targeting a senator for bringing internal matters to international attention.