“‘Why Are You Treating Me Like a Criminal?’’– Senator Natasha Blasts Akpabio Over Alleged Passport Seizure
On Monday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio ordered the confiscation of her passport at an international airport.
She said: “There was no order. … I have not missed any of my court appearances. I am not a flight risk. … So why are you treating me like a criminal? Can I have my passport, please?”
In a live video at the airport she challenged the immigration officers: “Do not tell me sorry, let me have my passport.” She further claimed that the President Bola Tinubu had directed Senate President Akpabio to terminate politically-motivated cases against her, so “there is no reason why my passport should be withheld.”
What transpired between senate president Akpabio and senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
According to the report, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to leave Nigeria she found that her passport had been seized by immigration officials.
She alleged that Akpabio had “sent” officers to hold her passport because “every time I travel out, I smear the country’s image by granting interviews.”
The officers, on camera, apologised “We are sorry ma” and handed the passport back after her protest. Meanwhile, Akpabio’s office or the Nigeria Immigration Service had not issued any official public statement responding to the allegation as of this writing.
As to why Akpabio allegedly ordered the action, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims it was because of her “two Federal Government cases against me” and that she was being treated as though she were a flight risk. She further says the President intervened and the cases were to be withdrawn, making the passport seizure unwarranted.
Nigerians’ reacts on this current happening on senator Nastasha and Senate President Akpabio
News of the incident quickly sparked reaction on social media and in various news outlets. Many Nigerians expressed alarm at the idea of a sitting senator’s travel document being seized without clear court order, raising concerns about abuse of power and the rule of law. Others argued the episode reflects deeper tensions within the legislative body and governance.
Some commentators pointed out the lack of official response from the Senate leadership or immigration service as troubling. The story has become part of broader discussions about parliamentary privilege, accountability and citizens’ rights in Nigeria.
Abstractly, the allegations by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan that Senate President Akpabio ordered the seizure of her passport present serious questions of due process, separation of powers and individual rights. If true, the action suggests an overreach of authority into a lawmaker’s mobility and fundamental liberties.
Conversely, the absence of formal documentation such as a court order or official agency explanation makes the claim contentious and open to dispute. For Nigeria’s democratic system to maintain credibility, it is vital that such disputes are resolved transparently; the Senate leadership and the immigration service should publicly clarify the basis (if any) for confiscating a sitting senator’s passport. Without this, the incident risks undermining confidence in legislative fairness and the protection of civil liberties.
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