Nigeria Immigration Seizes Senator Natasha’s Passport

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP–Kogi Central) has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to confiscate her international passport at a Nigerian airport, preventing her from travelling abroad.

The allegation surfaced in a viral video released on Tuesday morning, in which the lawmaker confronted immigration officials at the airport over the alleged seizure of her passport.

In the video, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the act as “an unlawful restriction of movement and a gross violation of fundamental rights.”

“Hello, fellow Nigerians. I’m Senator Natasha. Having completed my second year in office, I decided to take a week off. I’m at the airport here, and my passport has been withheld again,” she said.

The senator further alleged that immigration officials informed her that the instruction to hold her passport came directly from Senate President Akpabio, who purportedly accused her of “spoiling the country’s image abroad” through her interviews with international media.

“This same thing happened before when I was stopped from travelling even though I had committed no offence and there was no court order restricting me,” she added. “The officer in charge told me the Senate President instructed them to prevent me from travelling because he claimed I embarrass Nigeria whenever I go abroad.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan decried what she described as repeated harassment and intimidation, urging relevant authorities — including the Nigerian Immigration Service, the National Assembly leadership, and human rights bodies — to investigate the incident and protect her constitutional rights.

As of press time, Senate President Akpabio and his office had not issued an official response to the allegations. Efforts by reporters to reach his media aides for comment were unsuccessful.

Legal experts note that, under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nigerian citizens have the right to freedom of movement, including the right to leave and enter the country, except as restricted by a valid court order.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has also not publicly commented on the senator’s claims.