By Haruna Salami
Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was briefly detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
Natasha was reportedly stopped by immigration officers because her name was placed on a watch list allegedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly.
A family member familiar with the situation said the lawmaker was travelling alongside her husband to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson in the UK when officials at the departure terminal intercepted her.
“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” the source disclosed.
“We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances”.
This development reveals a deepening rift between the senator and the leadership of the Senate.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently challenging her suspension from the Senate, which followed her rejection of the reassignment of her seat during plenary. She later levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Federal Government has also initiated two criminal defamation proceedings against the senator.
Eyewitnesses said the incident caused a stir among travelers and airport staff as the senator protested the restriction and was seen making multiple urgent phone calls.
“Eventually her passport was stamped and she was allowed to proceed,” one of the witnesses said.
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