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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan blocked, released at Abuja Airport
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, 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.
According to Premium Times, her name had been placed on a watch list, allegedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly.
The senator, who was traveling with her husband to attend her stepson’s graduation ceremony in the UK, was stopped and informed that she was considered a “flight risk.” A family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized the development, noting that there is no court order restricting her movement and that she has never missed any of her court appearances.
This incident comes amid growing political tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership. She has recently been suspended from the Senate after openly protesting a change in her seating position. Furthermore, she has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment — allegations that Mr. Akpabio has strongly denied.
The Federal Government has also filed two criminal defamation cases against her, which she claims are part of a wider political witch-hunt.
Eyewitnesses reported that the senator challenged the travel restriction and made several urgent calls to senior immigration and government officials. After almost an hour, immigration officers cleared her, stamped her passport, and allowed her to proceed to board her British Airways flight.
“Her passport was eventually stamped and she was allowed to proceed,” one witness said. Speaking briefly to Premium Times before takeoff, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed the incident but chose not to share further details, saying, “The aircraft is about to take off.”
Her family members have expressed concerns that she may face similar challenges upon her return to Nigeria in two weeks.
Immigration authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The Service’s spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, has promised to provide more information once details are confirmed.
Source: Premium Times
