Senate Faces Renewed Pressure After Kingibe Denies Seeing Natasha’s Suspension Report

June 18 () — Fresh pressure is mounting on the Nigerian Senate after Senator Ireti Kingibe revealed that she never saw the committee report that formed the basis for the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, raising fresh concerns over transparency and procedural integrity within the upper legislative chamber.

Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Nigerian Senate, made the revelation on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television Prime Time, where she disclosed that she had no access to the report before the Senate proceeded with disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Her disclosure adds another layer of controversy to a suspension that has remained one of the most debated decisions of the 10th Senate, with critics repeatedly questioning whether due process was followed before the Kogi Central lawmaker was handed a six-month suspension.

According to Kingibe, she was attending a retreat on tax reform when the committee report was being considered and therefore had no opportunity to review the document before the matter was concluded.

“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee”, she said.

Explaining the circumstances, the senator said she initially attended a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register and later left to participate in a separate retreat focused on tax reforms, which she believed was more important to the people she represents.

“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time. It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it”, she said.

Kingibe further disclosed that after the proceedings, she complained to some of her colleagues about not having access to the report, specifically mentioning Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“I even complained to other senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now”, she added.

Her comments come barely days after Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, sparked controversy after suggesting during a television interview that the names of some lawmakers were improperly included in the report recommending Natasha’s suspension.

The allegation immediately generated uproar within the Senate and prompted Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu to announce that the Senate would review Oshiomhole’s remarks and determine its official position.

However, Oshiomhole later issued a clarification denying reports that he accused senators of signature forgery, insisting his comments had been misunderstood and that he never alleged any lawmaker’s signature was forged.

According to him, his original comments merely reflected concerns allegedly raised by a committee member that the attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the final report.

The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had earlier resurfaced after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reportedly described the suspension of the Kogi Central senator as one of the lowest moments in the history of the 10th Senate.