There was a moment of tension at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning as immigration officers briefly held up Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Senator, who represents Kogi Central and is currently under suspension, was about to board a flight to the UK when officials stopped her.
According to reports, Natasha was informed that her name had been flagged on a travel watch list—allegedly at the request of top figures within the National Assembly.
A family member revealed that she was on her way to the UK with her husband to attend her stepson’s graduation ceremony when she was blocked at the departure area.
“They told her the National Assembly leadership considers her a flight risk. But we’re confused—there’s no court order against her and she’s always shown up when required,” the family source explained.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said Natasha appeared visibly surprised by the development. She was seen making urgent calls to senior immigration and government contacts in a bid to resolve the issue.
After nearly an hour of back-and-forth, she was eventually cleared to board her British Airways flight, with one witness confirming that her passport was stamped and she was allowed to continue her journey.
This incident follows her recent suspension from the Senate, which came after she objected to a change in her seat within the chamber. She has also publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of misconduct—an allegation he has strongly denied.
