Nigeria’s internal and external intelligence agencies have launched an investigation into how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central attended the recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without official nomination from Nigeria.
The probe, revealed by high-ranking administration and security officials to PREMIUM TIMES, aims to uncover how Akpoti-Uduaghan gained access to the meeting, who facilitated her trip and accreditation, and whether her attendance was orchestrated to embarrass Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been at the centre of controversy recently, including allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and a six-month suspension from the Nigerian Senate for misconduct.
According to the report, Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are jointly investigating how Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the recent IPU meeting in New York without official nomination from Nigeria.
The probe was reportedly triggered by complaints from the Nigerian senate.
The investigation aims to uncover several key points, including whether Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan obtained unauthorised credentials or if external facilitators aided her participation at the meeting and whether her participation breached any IPU regulations or the Nigerian National Assembly protocols.
It will also look into whether Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements at the event misrepresented Nigeria’s official stance and whether individuals or organisations helped her secure attendance without the government’s knowledge or approval.
It remains unclear how the security agencies will proceed with their findings once the investigation is concluded.
During last Thursday’s plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns about the legitimacy of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting.
Bamidele emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not part of Nigeria’s official delegation, which is a clear breach of IPU’s established rules and protocols.
Bamidele stressed that international parliamentary organisations like the IPU operate based on strict guidelines, which suggest that only officially designated representatives should be allowed to attend meetings and speak on behalf of their countries.
In this case, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s presence was not authorised, and she should not have been allowed to participate in the meeting, he noted.
The IPU, established in 1889, is a global organisation that brings together parliamentary representatives from 181 sovereign states. Its primary mission is to promote peace, cooperation among peoples, and the establishment of representative institutions.
The IPU convenes twice-yearly Assemblies, serving as its main political body where parliamentarians debate and adopt resolutions on global issues such as peace, security, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
These Assemblies typically alternate between Geneva, where the IPU’s permanent Secretariat is located, and host member parliaments.
Each national parliament selects its delegation to attend IPU Assemblies.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Complaint To IPU
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan earlier reported her suspension by the Senate, as well as her case against Senate President Akpabio, to the IPU.
The Kogi Central lawmaker described the Senate’s action as “illegal” and a reflection of the challenges women face in Nigeria.
“I am not here to bring shame to my country; I am here to bring help to the women of our country,” she stated.
She said, “On March 6, I was suspended as a Senator—illegally—because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I believed that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit to a fair and transparent investigation by the committee on ethics. Unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.
“I was suspended for six months under stringent conditions: my security detail was withdrawn, all officials working closely with me as a Senator were removed, my salary was cut off, I was barred from appearing anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I was prohibited from introducing myself as a Senator.
“Whether locally in Nigeria or internationally, that would imply that I am here illegally. But I have nowhere else to turn except to speak before you all, because this situation illustrates the reality of women’s rights in political representation. My suspension is not just about me—women make up only 2.8% of the Senate. Out of 109 senators, only four of us are women.”
“My call for an open investigation into harassment has been met with hostility instead of accountability, in full view of the world. Imagine what ordinary Nigerians face every day,” she added.
In response, the President of the IPU, Tulia Ackson, promised to ensure that necessary steps are taken regarding the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate.
She, however, noted that the Senate leadership would be given an opportunity to present its side before any decision is made.
Nigerian Senate’s Response
In response to her complaint at the UN conference, the Nigerian Senate issued a letter, read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, refuting the allegations.
Oghara was representing Nigeria at the IPU in an official capacity.
The letter, signed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stated: “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan To Testify Ethics Before Committee
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions (SCEPPP) was set to hear testimonies from Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment.
This was confirmed by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday.
According to Nwebonyi, other senators who were present at the time of the alleged incident will also testify before the committee.
“All the parties involved would appear before the Committee, including the Senate President.
“He would come and testify, and his testimony would be recorded, likewise other senators,” Nwebonyi stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged that Akpabio sexually harassed her during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023.
She claimed that during the visit, the Senate President held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate advances towards her — even in the presence of her husband.