By Ghazali Ibrahim
Senator Natasha Akpoti, representing Kogi Central, has claimed that her international passport has once again been confiscated, preventing her from travelling abroad.
The lawmaker made the allegation during a live Facebook broadcast on Tuesday, expressing frustration that her movement is being restricted despite having no legal case barring her from leaving the country.
“Having completed the celebration of my second year, I decided to take a week off and my passport is being withheld again,” she said.
“I have committed no offence and there is no court order to seize my passport or deny me travel.”
Akpoti alleged that a similar incident occurred previously and that an immigration officer had linked the action to an order reportedly issued by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“The last time it happened, the officer in charge told us that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed them to withhold my passport and prevent me from travelling,” she stated.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the Office of the Senate President has responded to the allegations.
