Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has cautioned against a security probe into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, warning that it could bring unnecessary embarrassment to Nigeria.
Falana’s remarks follow allegations by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who claimed that Senator Natasha humiliated the Nigerian government by reporting her suspension to the international body.
The Controversy Behind Natasha’s Suspension
Senator Natasha’s suspension came after a heated confrontation with Akpabio in the Senate chamber, which she later claimed stemmed from sexual harassment allegations against him.
Following her suspension, Natasha spoke at the IPU meeting on March 11, stating that her removal was a deliberate attempt to silence her over her accusations against Akpabio.
Now, reports indicate that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have launched an investigation into how she attended the IPU meeting without official approval.
Falana’s Response
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana criticized the security agencies’ actions, arguing that such an investigation would only damage Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
“Contrary to the Senate President’s claims, it is not Senator Natasha’s report to the IPU that embarrasses Nigeria, but rather the decision to investigate her trip. This move will only bring unnecessary ridicule to the country,” Falana said.
The legal expert urged security agencies to learn from history, referencing past military-era restrictions on politicians’ movements, and advised against turning an internal Senate matter into a national scandal.
With tensions rising over this case, all eyes are on how the Nigerian government and security agencies handle this politically charged issue.
Leave a Reply