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The official probe of the circumstances of Natasha’s trip by security forces that will expose Nigeria to needless embarrassment and undeserved ridicule
Human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN) has cautioned security agencies against investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York.
Falana has warned that such an investigation could embarrass key officials in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
IREPORT247NEW reports that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator who represents Kogi central, is reportedly being investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) regarding her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without having been officially nominated for the position.
An investigation is being conducted with the purpose of determining how she obtained accreditation, who was responsible for facilitating her journey, and whether or not her involvement was planned to humiliate the government of Nigeria.
Members of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), which is a global organization of national parliaments, are required to propose representatives prior to meetings.
Reports state that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the IPU meeting despite not having the necessary authorization. The Senate’s allegations served as the catalyst for the joint investigation by the DSS and the NIA.
Falana said on Sunday that the investigation was a fruitless endeavour that might bring unwarranted shame and contempt to Nigeria.
Falana stated, “Finally, it is public knowledge that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio had accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of embarrassing the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by reporting her suspension by the senate to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
“Contrary to the jaundiced views of the senate leader, it is the official probe of the circumstances of her trip by security forces that will expose Nigeria to needless embarrassment and undeserved ridicule.
“Therefore, the SSS and NIA may study the report of the investigation of our illegal travelling by the Sani Abacha military junta before embarking on the futile attempt to probe Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for having the temerity to externalise the internal affair of the Senate.
“In fact, the probe will particularly embarrass some top officials of the Bola Tinubu administration who were once accused of travelling out of Nigeria to embarrass the defunct military junta.”