Femi Falana cautions against probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s IPU attendance, warning it may embarrass President Bola Tinubu’s officials. The inquiry by the DSS and NIA follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate after discussing it at the IPU. Falana criticizes the probe as misguided and likely to expose Nigeria to unnecessary ridicule.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has warned against inquiries into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York. He believes that such investigations could lead to embarrassment for notable officials within President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Reports indicate that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are scrutinizing her attendance, which has raised questions about her official nomination.
The issue gained prominence following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Nigerian Senate, which she highlighted during the international gathering. Senate President Godswill Akpabio claimed she embarrassed the government by discussing her suspension, yet Akpoti-Uduaghan contended that it was a retaliatory move after she accused him of sexual harassment.
In his statement, Falana characterized the probe as a misguided effort that could lead to unnecessary international ridicule for Nigeria. He stated, “It is public knowledge that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio had accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of embarrassing the government.” He further advised the security agencies to consider historical precedents before pursuing the investigation, noting that probes into individuals like Akpoti-Uduaghan could embarrass members of the current administration who previously faced similar accusations.
Mr. Femi Falana has firmly advised against probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her IPU attendance, arguing that such actions could reflect poorly on Nigeria. He emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the potential ramifications of such investigations, particularly in relation to historical governmental actions. The implications of the senator’s context surrounding her suspension further complicate the matter.
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