Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was briefly stopped by immigration officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning as she attempted to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
The Senator, accompanied by her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, was reportedly informed that her name had been placed on a watch list, preventing her from traveling. She was held for nearly an hour before being eventually cleared to board her British Airways flight.
An immigration source confirmed the development to Daily Trust, stating:
“Yes, it is true that the Senator was briefly blocked from traveling.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Immigration Service has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The development comes amid escalating tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the leadership of the National Assembly. The Senator is currently contesting her recent suspension from the Senate, which followed her public protest over the reassignment of her seat in the chamber.
Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation he has strongly denied.
The situation continues to draw national attention as political and legal implications unfold.
