Senator Natasha alleges passport seizure on Akpabio’s orders + video

Senator Natasha alleges passport seizure on Akpabio’s orders + video

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) has accused Nigerian immigration officials of unlawfully seizing her passport at a local airport.

She claimed the officials were acting on the directives of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has sparked fresh controversy over the rights of elected officials and the limits of institutional authority.

The lawmaker, who recently marked her second anniversary in the Senate with a series of constituency projects in Kogi Central, went live on Instagram from the airport terminal, visibly distressed as she confronted immigration officers. She claimed her passport was withheld for over 20 minutes without explanation.

“This same thing happened before,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said in the video. “I was stopped from travelling even though I had committed no offence and there was no court order restricting me. The officer in charge told me that the Senate President instructed them to withhold my passport because he claimed I ‘spoil the image of the country’ by granting interviews to international media”.

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The senator’s live broadcast quickly gained traction online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over what she described as a “gross violation of her fundamental rights.” She questioned the legality of the action and accused Akpabio of using his office to suppress dissent.

“Is Godswill Akpabio so important? Why is he overruling boundaries?” she asked during the confrontation.

This marks the second time Akpoti-Uduaghan has faced travel restrictions under similar circumstances. She alleged that previous attempts to travel were also blocked without legal justification, requiring intervention from influential figures to secure her release.

As of press time, the Nigeria Immigration Service has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. The Senate President’s office has also remained silent, fueling speculation about the political undertones of the confrontation.

Legal experts and civil society groups have called for an independent investigation into the matter, citing concerns over abuse of power and infringement on constitutional rights.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has gained national attention for her outspoken stance on governance and transparency. Her recent commissioning of projects in Kogi Central was widely praised, and she has been vocal on issues affecting women, youth, and marginalized communities.

The latest incident adds to a growing list of political flashpoints involving high-ranking officials and may further deepen tensions within the National Assembly.

Senator Natasha alleges passport seizure on Akpabio’s orders + video