“Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed to withhold my passport,” Senator Natasha alleged.
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused immigration officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, of unlawfully seizing her international passport on Tuesday, according to PUNCH’s reporting.
In a Facebook live video obtained by PUNCH, the lawmaker described the incident as an “unlawful restriction” of her movement and a violation of her fundamental rights. “My passport has been withheld again,” she said, recalling a similar encounter in the past despite having no pending legal case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the officer in charge told her the action was directed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who purportedly accused her of “spoiling the image of the country” during foreign trips.
However, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) denied the claim. Its spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, said the episode was merely a “routine check” and confirmed that the senator was later allowed to travel. “It was an exercise that didn’t even take long,” he added.
Efforts to reach Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful.
The incident comes months after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate and has reignited public debate over her strained relationship with the chamber’s leadership.