Immigration officers briefly detain senator’s travel documents in move linked to Senate President Akpabio’s power play
Byline: IDNN Political Desk
ABUJA — A dramatic scene unfolded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday as immigration officers briefly seized the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, delaying her departure to London in an incident many are calling politically motivated and constitutionally indefensible.
Eyewitnesses told IDNN that Akpoti, accompanied by her husband Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, was about to board a British Airways flight when she was flagged by immigration officials and told to “step aside for further clearance.” Her passport was confiscated without formal explanation.
“The court never authorized this. You have no right to hold my passport,” Natasha was heard saying as she stood her ground at the immigration checkpoint.
🔻 Finger pointed at Senate President Akpabio
Sources within the airport and immigration command told IDNN that the directive came from the top — allegedly from the Comptroller-General of Immigration — acting “on the orders of the Senate President.”
The seizure, which lasted over 40 minutes, was abruptly reversed after a flurry of urgent phone calls by Chief Uduaghan. The senator’s passport was returned without apology or paperwork, and she was allowed to board just before final call.
“It was clearly political,” one airport source confirmed. “There was no red flag from Interpol or any official warrant. It was a power play — nothing more.”
🔺 Legal community reacts: “Unlawful and shameful”
Constitutional lawyers and civil rights groups have condemned the incident, calling it a flagrant abuse of institutional authority.
Barr. Aminu Musa, a public law expert, described the act as a “travesty.”
“No security agency has the right to restrict a lawmaker’s movement without a court order. This was harassment — plain and simple.”
Civil Society Network for Democracy called for an investigation and accused government officials of weaponizing state agencies for political vendettas.
🔻 Natasha’s growing friction with Senate leadership
The timing of the incident is telling. It comes just 48 hours after the Senate, under Akpabio’s leadership, filed a controversial cross-appeal against a court ruling that declared Natasha’s earlier suspension unconstitutional.
Natasha had attempted to resume plenary on July 22, insisting that only the Senate President had appealed — not the Senate body. She accused Akpabio of overreach and warned of an emerging culture of legislative dictatorship.
“This wasn’t about national security,” one ally said. “It was about silencing Natasha.”
🔺 Abuse of power or rogue directive?
While the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has not issued an official statement, insiders claim the seizure was made without a written warrant or border watchlist directive — suggesting a back-channel instruction.
No travel ban has been placed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. There’s also no ongoing criminal investigation against her, raising further concerns about the legality of the action.
“We are alarmed that a sitting senator can be detained at will at the country’s main international gateway. This is not democracy,” a senior PDP lawmaker said.
🔻 Tinubu government under pressure over diplomatic optics
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The episode comes as Nigeria faces increasing global scrutiny over governance and rights. Just days ago, the U.S. government issued a Level 3 travel advisory against Nigeria, citing insecurity and weakened institutions.
The Akpoti incident now risks reinforcing that perception, with critics warning that the Tinubu-led administration may be sliding toward authoritarian control over dissenting voices.
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