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Femi Falana has warned that probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting in New York could embarrass Nigeria. The investigation follows Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claims that she humiliated the country. Falana insists the probe risks exposing Nigeria to ridicule rather than protecting its reputation.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has cautioned that investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York could bring unnecessary embarrassment to Nigeria. His statement comes after reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) launched a probe into how the Kogi senator attended the event without an official nomination.

The controversy began when Senate President Godswill Akpabio accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of damaging Nigeria’s reputation by discussing her suspension with the international body. The senator had claimed that her removal from the senate was an attempt to silence her after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Falana, however, dismissed the probe as a misplaced priority, stating that the security agencies should instead focus on more pressing national issues. He argued that history has shown such investigations often backfire, citing past incidents where officials who traveled abroad to criticize Nigeria’s leadership were later vindicated.

He further warned that dragging the matter into an official inquiry would not only expose the government to ridicule but also reinforce allegations of political persecution. Falana urged security agencies to reconsider their approach, emphasizing that democratic institutions should uphold free speech rather than suppress dissenting voices.

The situation has sparked widespread debate, with some Nigerians viewing the investigation as a political witch-hunt while others argue that lawmakers must follow due process in international engagements.