Falana Warns Senate, Security Agencies Against Probing Senator Natasha's New York Trip to Address IPU Amid Suspension Controversy

 Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has cautioned the Senate and security agencies against investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's recent trip to New York, where she addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) regarding her suspension from the Nigerian Senate. 

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended from the Senate, a move she described as illegal and reflective of the challenges women face in Nigerian politics. In response, she reported her suspension and allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the IPU during a meeting in New York. 

Following her address, reports emerged that Nigerian security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), initiated investigations into her participation at the IPU meeting. The probes aim to uncover how she secured accreditation, who facilitated her trip, and whether her participation was orchestrated to embarrass the Nigerian government.

Falana criticized these investigations, asserting that involving security agencies in a legislative matter could lead to unnecessary embarrassment for the country. He urged the Senate to reverse Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension promptly, emphasizing that suspending legislators at the discretion of legislative leaders undermines democratic principles and the rights of constituents to representation. ​

The human rights lawyer also highlighted the irony in the Senate's stance, noting that several top officials in President Bola Tinubu's administration had, in the past, traveled abroad to challenge Nigeria's military rulers. He called for adherence to legal precedents and respect for the rule of law in handling such matters. 

This development has sparked debates about the independence of the legislative arm of government and the extent of its powers in disciplining its members. Observers are keenly watching how the situation unfolds, considering its implications for Nigeria's democratic processes and the protection of lawmakers' rights.