Okay News reports that Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has accused immigration officers at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja of unlawfully seizing her international passport and briefly preventing her from travelling abroad on Tuesday morning.
In a Facebook Live video shared during the encounter, the senator was seen confronting immigration personnel, describing the act as “unlawful” and “a violation of her fundamental rights.” She alleged that this was not the first time she had faced such harassment despite having no pending court order restricting her movement.
Speaking to her followers, Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “Hello, fellow Nigerians. I’m Senator Natasha. Having completed my second year in office, I decided to take a week off. I’m at the airport here, and my passport has been withheld again. This same thing happened before when I was stopped from travelling even though I had committed no offence, and there was no court order restricting me.”
The senator further alleged that an immigration officer told her that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed that her passport be withheld. According to her, the official said Akpabio believed she “spoiled the image of the country” each time she travelled abroad by granting interviews to international media outlets.
Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the authorities to intervene, saying, “This repeated harassment must stop. It is embarrassing and unjust.” She later confirmed that the officers eventually returned her passport, allowing her to continue her journey.
Immigration Service Responds
However, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has refuted the senator’s claims, saying the incident was a standard operational procedure.
In a statement to journalists, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, explained, “It is a routine check, and she has been allowed to travel. It was an exercise that didn’t even take long.”
When asked whether the directive to stop Akpoti-Uduaghan came from the Senate President, Akinlabi expressed surprise, saying, “Of course not. What concerns immigration exercise with National Assembly matters?”
Attempts to obtain a reaction from Senate President Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful, as he neither responded to calls nor replied to messages.
Ongoing Tensions With Senate Leadership
Tuesday’s airport episode comes just months after the senator’s March 2025 suspension from the Nigerian Senate, following a heated confrontation with the Senate leadership. During that period, she accused Akpabio of running the upper chamber with what she described as “a dictatorial hand.”
Although her suspension officially lapsed in September 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan only regained access to her Senate office two weeks ago after what insiders described as a “prolonged standoff” and legal battle.
Since her return, she has resumed legislative duties, including sponsoring the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to reform certain outdated provisions in Nigeria’s criminal law.
Public Reactions And Political Implications
The latest incident has reignited debate about the senator’s strained relationship with the Senate leadership and raised concerns about alleged misuse of state institutions for political vendettas.
Political observers say the clash between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio could deepen tensions within the Senate as Nigeria approaches a politically charged 2026.
Despite the immigration service’s explanation, many Nigerians online have expressed support for the senator, calling for transparency and greater protection of lawmakers’ rights irrespective of political affiliations.
As of press time, neither the Senate President nor the Federal Ministry of Interior has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
