Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has cautioned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, against using the police in his ongoing political dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

Akpabio had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of defamation over her alleged remarks during a political rally, which he claimed falsely alleged an assassination plot.

He demanded her prosecution for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.”

In response, Falana described the matter as civil, not criminal, and urged the Senate President to seek redress through a libel suit rather than police intervention.

“This matter is civil in nature and should not be criminalised,” Falana said in a statement on Friday. Citing the 1985 Court of Appeal ruling in Arthur Nwankwo v The State, he emphasized that public officers must not misuse state power to suppress political opposition.

Quoting the late Justice Olajide Olatawura, Falana added: “Let us not diminish from the freedom gained from our colonial masters by resorting to laws enacted by them to suit their purpose.

The decision of the founding fathers… which guarantees freedom of speech — which must include freedom to criticise — should be praised.”

He warned that criminalising political speech could set a dangerous precedent: “Those in public office should not be intolerant of criticism. Where a writer exceeds the bounds, there should be a resort to the law of libel.”

Falana concluded that using police force in a civil matter amounts to abuse of power and erodes civil liberties, especially in a democratic society where freedom of expression must be preserved.