Falana Warns Against Investigating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s IPU Attendance

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has cautioned against probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting, suggesting it may embarrass Nigeria’s government. The investigation follows her suspension from the Senate and accusations of public embarrassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Falana argues that the probe is misguided and urges reflection on past governmental practices.

Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer, has urged security agencies to refrain from investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York. He emphasized that such an inquiry might lead to embarrassment for notable officials within President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The potential investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) comes in light of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate. She reportedly spoke about her suspension during the IPU gathering, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to accuse her of damaging the government’s reputation. Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that her suspension is a punitive measure for her claims of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

In his recent statement, Falana described the probe as a futile exercise that could subject Nigeria to unnecessary shame. He stated, “It is public knowledge that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio had accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of embarrassing the government by reporting her suspension.” He condemned the inquiry as misguided, warning that it could indeed backfire on many key figures in the administration.

Falana pointed out the irony of the situation, referencing a historical investigation into illegal travel under the Sani Abacha regime. He urged the security agencies to learn from past mistakes and avoid pursuing this line of inquiry, which he believes will ultimately reflect poorly on Nigeria’s image.

Femi Falana has articulated strong objections against any investigation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by Nigerian security agencies, warning it could lead to significant embarrassment for the current government. He argues that the probe is unnecessary and calls for reflection on past governmental actions to avoid repeating historical errors. The inquiry into her attendance at the IPU meeting has generated considerable controversy, linking issues of governance, human rights, and political accountability.

Original Source: solacebase.com