Immigration Denies Seizing Natasha Akpoti’s Passport, says She Only Underwent Routine Checks

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has denied allegations that its officials withheld the passport of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Earlier today, the senator representing Kogi central alleged that her passport was seized by immigration officers on the orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She said she was prevented from boarding her flight despite having committed no offence or receiving any court order restricting her movement.

However, Channels TV reports that Akinsola Akinlabi, spokesperson of the NIS, described the incident as a routine immigration procedure.

Akinlabi said the lawmaker was subjected to standard verification processes like other passengers, and was later cleared to travel.

“NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel,” Akinlabi said.

“The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged.

“She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling.”

“She has travelled since then. The video was made while she was going through the checks, not after. The passport was never seized.”

When asked if the senator resisted handing over her passport for inspection, Akinlabi said he could not confirm that.

“I don’t know about that,” he replied. “But the officers conducting the checks are authorised to collect passports for verification and must return them once done, which they did.”