A mild drama unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday morning after immigration officials held on to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s passport — for perhaps a little longer than necessary.
Afterwards, the senator representing Kogi central alleged that her passport was seized by airport officials on the orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Kogi lawmaker made the allegation in a live Facebook broadcast.
A visibly enraged Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was prevented from boarding the aircraft despite having committed no offence or receiving any court order restricting her movement.
She described the act as an “embarrassment” and called for the immediate release of her travel document.
“My passport has been withheld again,” she said.
“The same thing happened last time when I was prevented from travelling. I have committed no offence and there is no court order stopping me.”
According to her, an official told her that Akpabio instructed security personnel at the airport to seize her passport each time she attempts to leave the country.
“The last time this happened, the officer in charge told us that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed them to seize my passport and stop me from travelling because, according to him, each time I travel abroad, I ‘smear the country’s image’ by granting interviews to international media,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan faulted what she described as “an abuse of power”, accusing Akpabio of overreaching his authority and undermining her rights as a citizen.
“Why is he overruling boundaries?” she asked.
“You have no right to withhold my passport or stop me from travelling in and out of my own country.
“Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, has instructed the comptroller-general of customs to deny me exit and to withhold my passport. This is wrong. There is no such order.”
She noted that the presidency had earlier directed the attorney-general of the federation to withdraw two “politically motivated” cases against her, adding that there was “no justification for the continued harassment”.
“The president himself instructed that the cases be withdrawn after admitting they were politically driven,” she said.
“So there is no reason why my passport should still be seized.”
The senator said she had never missed a court appearance and had always complied with all legal processes, insisting she is not a flight risk.
“I have attended every court session. I am not a risk to my country,” she added. “Why treat me like a criminal?”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also vowed to seek legal redress over what she described as repeated “acts of humiliation by airport authorities”.
“As a matter of fact, I may have to sue for this continuous embarrassment,” she said.
“Sometimes, you just have to be a rebel to make things right.”
The passport was later handed over to her in the video by one of the immigration officers.
On February 20, Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged Akpabio in a heated debate over seating arrangements in the upper legislative chamber.
She later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment — a claim the senate president denied.
On March 6, the senate suspended her for six months following the adoption of the report by the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.
Since her return to the legislative chamber on September 24 after serving the suspension, the senator has gradually returned to the business of lawmaking.
On Monday, the female senator said fear of political persecution prevented many of her colleagues from openly identifying with her during the suspension.
