Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to pursue a defamation suit in court rather than involve the police over remarks by activist Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
PUNCH
Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to seek legal redress in court if he feels defamed by activist and senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, rather than involving the police.
Falana’s advice followed reports that Akpabio petitioned the police over alleged defamatory remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan concerning his involvement in a controversial Lagos-Calabar highway project.
“If Senator Akpabio feels offended by the alleged defamation, he is advised to sue for libel in a civil court,” Falana said in a statement.
He added that inviting the police into a civil dispute over reputation violates constitutional rights and undermines the principle of freedom of expression.
