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LAGOS, NIGERIA – Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has cautioned Nigerian security agencies against launching an official investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting held in New York.
He warned that such a probe could cause unnecessary embarrassment for the country.
Falana’s warning follows allegations made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of humiliating the Nigerian government by reporting her suspension to the international body.
The dispute stems from a reported incident where Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her after a disagreement over seating arrangements in the Senate. This controversy eventually led to her suspension from the Senate for what was described as gross misconduct.
During the IPU meeting on March 11, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke about her suspension, alleging that it was part of an attempt to silence her regarding the sexual harassment claims.
Following her attendance at the IPU meeting, reports emerged that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had begun investigating how the Kogi senator attended the event without an official nomination.
Falana expressed concern that the investigation itself could damage Nigeria’s image on the international stage. He emphasized that the true embarrassment was not caused by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions but by the Senate President’s accusations.
The lawyer urged security agencies to refrain from pursuing a probe that could expose Nigeria to global ridicule. He also drew attention to historical precedents, referencing how the Sani Abacha military junta mishandled illegal travel investigations.
“Rather than a probe into Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, it is the investigation itself that risks bringing needless shame to the country,” Falana stated.
