Natasha Confronts Immigration Officials over Seized Passport

In an emotion-laden tone, the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, confronted Nigerian immigration officials who allegedly seized her international passport on Tuesday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while she was travelling abroad.

Speaking during a Facebook Live broadcast, the visibly agitated lawmaker said her international passport was seized based on what she described as a “direct order” from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, despite a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordering the withdrawal of all Federal Government cases filed against her.

“There was no court order. Yes, I know I have two federal government cases against me, but President Tinubu instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to withdraw those cases,” she stated.

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According to the senator, the president personally intervened after acknowledging that the charges were politically motivated.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu actually spoke to Godswill Akpabio to terminate all the cases against me because he admitted they were politically witch-hunting me. So there is no reason why my passport should be withheld at the airport,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, visibly distraught as she showed the immigration officers in the background.

She further accused Akpabio of overstepping his authority, claiming the Senate President had directed the Comptroller-General of Immigration to prevent her from leaving the country.

“Is Godswill Akpabio so important that he can overrule the President? Why is he crossing boundaries?” she asked. “This is wrong and an abuse of power.”

The Kogi lawmaker said it was not the first time her freedom of movement had been restricted.

Federal Government’s Legal Battle

The incident comes amid renewed legal pressure on the senator. The Federal Government had, in May 2025, filed a fresh charge against Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal High Court, Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, only weeks after a similar case (CR/297/25) was instituted at the FCT High Court.

Both cases reportedly stem from allegations that she made “defamatory statements” against Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.

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Sources close to the Attorney-General’s office said President Tinubu had recently directed that the cases be reviewed and, if necessary, withdrawn in the interest of justice and political stability.

Political Undercurrents

The confrontation at the airport highlights growing tensions within the ruling political establishment. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal critic of former Governor Bello and a rising figure in the National Assembly, has frequently alleged political persecution.

While the Presidency has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, observers say the clash between the President’s directive and the alleged orders from the Senate President exposes internal rifts within the ruling elite.

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As of press time, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s passport remained withheld, and it was unclear whether the intervention of the Attorney-General or the Presidency would lead to its release.