The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting held in New York.
Concerns were raised by the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, who pointed out that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan was not part of the official delegation, emphasized the IPU’s strict rules regarding accredited representatives.
The investigation aims to determine how she obtained her accreditation, and whether her attendance was intended to embarrass the country, since she is facing a six-month suspension for alleged misconduct.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan used the IPU platform, to argue that her suspension was in retaliation for her accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
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During her speech, she claimed that the Senate was attempting to silence her, instead of holding acuused person accountable.
In response, the Senate released a letter read at the IPU by Sen. Kafilat Ogbara, refuting her claims.
The letter, signed by Sen. Bamidele, stated that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to gross misconduct, and unruly behavior, unrelated to her sexual harassment allegations.
Additionally, the Senate Committee on Ethics plans to hear testimonies from both Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Sen. Akpabio, who faces accusations of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence.
The outcomes of both the ethics hearing, and the intelligence investigation remain uncertain.
