Senator Natasha nearly denied departure at Abuja Airport for UK trip
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was briefly detained at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday morning while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
The senator, representing Kogi Central, was reportedly stopped by immigration officers who informed her that she couldn’t proceed with her journey because her name had been placed on a watch list, allegedly at the request of the National Assembly leadership.
A family member close to the situation revealed that the senator was traveling with her husband to attend her stepson’s graduation ceremony in the UK when she was intercepted by officials at the departure terminal.
“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.
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“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.”
The incident reportedly caused a commotion among travelers and airport staff, according to POLITICS NIGERIA.
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The development comes amidst 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.
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Eyewitnesses said the senator protested the restriction and was seen making multiple urgent phone calls.
“Her passport was eventually stamped and she was allowed to proceed,” one of the witnesses said.
When contacted shortly before departure, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed the development but said, “The aircraft is about to take off.”
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