Renowned human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to refrain from involving the Nigeria Police Force in his political dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. This warning follows Akpabio’s petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged defamatory remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a political rally.
In the petition, Akpabio accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of falsely claiming that he was involved in an assassination plot against her, which he described as baseless and politically motivated. He sought an investigation and possible criminal prosecution for defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
However, Falana argued that the issue is fundamentally a civil matter and does not warrant criminal prosecution. He emphasized that using state law enforcement agencies to settle political scores threatens democratic rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution.
Falana referenced a landmark Court of Appeal judgment, cautioning against using colonial-era laws to suppress free speech. He noted that public officials must tolerate criticism and, where necessary, seek redress through civil libel suits rather than resorting to intimidation.
Falana insisted that involving the police in such disputes amounts to an abuse of institutional power, setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine civil liberties and stifle political expression. He urged Akpabio and other public officials to uphold the Constitution by respecting citizens’ rights to engage in political discourse, including the right to criticise those in authority.
The dispute has sparked broader discussions around the misuse of law enforcement for political ends and the limits of free speech in Nigeria’s political space. Falana concluded by advising Akpabio to institute a libel suit in the appropriate High Court if he feels defamed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements.
