Nigeria’s intelligence agencies have launched a probe into how Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, gained access to the recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without official nomination, MUK TV has learned.
Top security sources revealed to Premium Times that the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are working to uncover who facilitated her trip and accreditation.
The probe also seeks to determine if her participation was orchestrated by interest groups to embarrass Nigeria on the global stage.
The IPU, a global parliamentary body, has strict rules limiting participation to official country-nominated delegates.
These individuals, typically selected senators, House of Representatives members, and parliamentary officials, must be accredited by the IPU Secretariat before attending.
Nigeria contends that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow the required protocols before attending the March 11 meeting, where she spoke about her Senate suspension, claiming it was politically motivated.
She also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the concerns and promised to investigate while allowing the Nigerian Senate to present its case.
However, Nigerian delegate Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims.
She presented a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stating that the senator’s suspension was due to violations of Senate Standing Rules, not political retaliation.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns about the senator’s participation, questioning the legitimacy of her presence at the meeting without being part of Nigeria’s official delegation.
“Outside of Nigeria, or outside of this Senate, when it comes to our inter-parliamentary engagements, every one of those organisations, from Inter-Parliamentary Union to Commonwealth Parliament, to African Union Parliament, to ECOWAS Parliament, everyone is run on the basis of rules and regulations, drawn from the protocols establishing those organisations.
“And that’s why the Inter-Parliamentary Union president, two days ago, after listening to our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha, had to also go by their rule. One, that the issue that she raised was outside of the agenda of the meeting. Number two, having heard her, it would also be important to listen to the other side because they are all guided by rules.
“So, if for any reason one of our colleagues, who was not even supposed to be there, if she were to have gone by the rule of this Senate and the decision of this Senate, found her way to the place, sat on the seat meant for Nigeria, and spoke for herself rather than for Nigeria, you know, that’s another issue altogether,” he stated.
Similarly, Jimoh Ibrahim, Chair of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had no official authorisation to attend the meeting. He clarified that her participation was neither approved by the Nigerian Senate nor its Inter-Parliamentary Committee.
The SSS-NIA joint investigation was reportedly triggered by complaints from the Nigerian Senate.
Intelligence agencies are examining whether Akpoti-Uduaghan obtained unauthorised credentials or had external facilitators enabling her participation.
Sources disclosed that the probe would assess whether her attendance breached IPU regulations or Nigerian parliamentary protocols.
The inquiry further seeks to determine if her statements at the event misrepresented Nigeria’s official stance and whether any individuals or organisations aided her access without government approval.
It remains unclear how security agencies will act on their findings once the investigation is concluded.
