Femi Falana warns against investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s IPU attendance, asserting it could embarrass President Tinubu’s administration. His comments come after allegations that her suspension was retaliatory. He argues that probing her could lead to greater ridicule for Nigeria and draw parallels with historical abuses by past regimes.
Femi Falana (SAN), a prominent human rights lawyer, has advised security agencies against investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York. He cautions that such an inquiry could result in public embarrassment for members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Falana’s concerns arise following reports that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are looking into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance, as she was reportedly not officially nominated. The tension escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Nigerian Senate, which she disclosed at the international gathering. Senate President Godswill Akpabio claimed her statements were damaging to the government, while Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged her suspension was retaliatory for her accusations of his sexual misconduct.
In a statement made on Sunday, Falana criticized the investigation as unnecessary and stated that it risks exposing Nigeria to embarrassment and ridicule. He noted that Senate President Akpabio’s accusations against Akpoti-Uduaghan for reporting her suspension to the IPU are misguided and that it is the government’s attempt to probe her that will provoke embarrassment.
Falana suggested that security forces should learn from past events, specifically referencing investigations of unlawful travel by the Sani Abacha military junta. He asserts that probing Akpoti-Uduaghan would not only be futile but could also lead to further embarrassment for high officials in Tinubu’s administration who have similarly been accused of humiliating the defunct military government.
The statement from Femi Falana reflects a significant warning against the investigation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her IPU attendance. He argues that such a probe could result in more harm than good for Nigeria’s image, particularly affecting key officials in President Tinubu’s administration. Falana’s emphasis on learning from historical precedents echoes a broader concern regarding accountability and political dynamics within the Senate.
Original Source: solacebase.com
