Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, was briefly halted from travelling out of the Country on Thursday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, in what appeared to be a politically-charged incident.
The senator, accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, was scheduled to board a British Airways flight to London to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson.
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However, Immigration officials intercepted her at the Departure Terminal, informing her that her name had been placed on a watch list and that she was considered a “security risk.”
Eyewitnesses at the Airport described a tense scene as the lawmaker’s passport was seized by officers who reportedly cited orders from the “highest level” of the Immigration hierarchy.
One source familiar with the situation alleged that the instruction came directly from the Controller-General of Immigration, acting on a directive purportedly issued by the leadership of the National Assembly.
A family member confirmed that the senator was stunned by the development, noting that there was no Court order barring her from travel and that she had consistently complied with all legal proceedings she is currently involved in.
“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be placed on a watch list. We are shocked because there’s absolutely no legal basis for this action,” the source said.
It was learnt that despite the disruption, the senator remained composed and questioned the legality of the order.
“The Court never authorised this. You have no right to hold my passport,” she was heard telling the immigration officials, according to one eyewitness.
After a brief standoff, during which her husband reportedly made several urgent phone calls, the passport was returned to her without any official explanation, and she was allowed to proceed with her journey.
When contacted shortly before takeoff, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed the incident but declined to comment further, saying only, “The aircraft is about to take off.”
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A source within the Nigeria Immigration Service familiar with the incident confirmed it to a BusinessDay reporter, stating that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was merely subjected to routine Immigration checks, after which her passport was promptly returned.
