Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, was briefly detained by immigration officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
She was travelling with her husband to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson when immigration officers stopped her at the departure terminal and informed her that her name had been placed on a watchlist allegedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly.
A family member familiar with the matter said the senator was shocked by the restriction, especially as there is no court order barring her from travel and she has never defaulted on court appearances. “She was told the leadership of the National Assembly considered her a flight risk,” the source stated.
The incident comes amid growing tensions between the senator and the Senate leadership. Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging her recent suspension from the Senate, which followed her protest against the sudden change of her seating position in the chamber. The confrontation escalated after she publicly accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment an allegation he has firmly denied.
Adding to the controversy, the Federal Government has filed two criminal defamation charges against the senator. Her associates believe these developments are part of a broader campaign of political intimidation and retaliation.
Eyewitnesses at the airport said the senator appeared visibly distressed, making urgent calls to senior immigration and government officials. After nearly an hour of delay, her passport was stamped and she was allowed to board her flight.
When briefly contacted before takeoff, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details. “The aircraft is about to take off,” she said.
A family member later expressed concern that the senator might face a similar ordeal upon her return to the country in two weeks.
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Immigration Service had not issued an official statement. The Service’s spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, said he would provide details once available.
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