Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said on Tuesday that immigration officers at the airport briefly seized her international passport and told her the move followed instructions from Senate President Godswill Akpabio
In a live Facebook video, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who only just returned from her suspension, alleged that the order to seize her passport came from the Senate President, who gave the orders on the premise that she “tarnishes the image of the country” whenever she travels abroad.
In the live video circulated on social media, Akpoti could be heard protesting the seizure and asking why she was being prevented from leaving despite having no court order restricting travel. She vowed legal action after the passport was returned amid public outcry.
Multiple local outlets reported that officers cited a “security” instruction from the immigration hierarchy and that the passport was withheld while the matter was being checked. The Nigerian Immigration Service later released the document after the senator drew attention to the incident online.
Akpoti’s clash with the Senate leadership has a recent, highly public history: in March she alleged sexual harassment by Senate President Akpabio, a charge his office denied. The dispute led to her suspension and prompted protests under the banner “We are all Natasha,” highlighting deep divisions within the upper chamber and wider debates about gender and power in Nigerian politics.
The senator’s office said she would seek redress through the courts and called for clarification from the Controller-General of Immigration and the Senate presidency. There have been no comments from Akpabio’s camp at the time of publication.
