The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has taken a new turn after Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) declared that she neither signed nor reviewed the committee report that recommended disciplinary action against the lawmaker.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in February 2025 following a heated confrontation within the Senate involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension was based on the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, whose report formed the basis of the chamber’s decision.
However, the process has remained controversial, attracting public criticism, legal scrutiny, and accusations of procedural irregularities. The latest development has further intensified questions about the integrity of the disciplinary process and whether all members of the committee were fully aware of or involved in the final report.
In a recent interview on Arise News, Senator Ireti Kingibe firmly stated that she did not sign the report used to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan, and that she had no access to the final document before it was submitted.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat at the time. I had earlier attended the committee meeting but did not participate in the final deliberations,” Kingibe said.
She explained that although she attended the initial meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and signed the attendance register, she left before the conclusion of proceedings to attend a tax reform retreat, which she described as a more urgent national assignment affecting her constituents.
“We signed the attendance register, but I later left for the tax reform retreat. That issue was more critical to my legislative duties at the time,” she said.
Kingibe further disclosed that she had raised concerns with fellow senators, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, about her lack of access to the final report. According to her, she repeatedly complained that she had not seen or reviewed any document related to the final disciplinary recommendation.
“I complained bitterly that I had not seen the report. I still have not seen it till today,” she added.
The development has fueled allegations that some signatures may have been attached to the committee report without the full knowledge or consent of the lawmakers concerned. Although no formal confirmation of forgery has been established, the controversy has intensified political debate around transparency and due process within the Senate.
The matter gained further attention after Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North made comments suggesting that some signatures on the report may not have been properly authorised. However, he later issued a clarification, stating that he did not directly accuse any senator of forgery.
“The only comment I made is that a senator claimed that attendance signatures of some members were attached to the final report,” Oshiomhole said in a follow-up statement. “I did not allege forgery, and I regret any misunderstanding my comments may have caused.”
Despite his clarification, the issue has continued to generate public interest, with observers calling for greater transparency in Senate committee proceedings and stricter adherence to legislative procedures.
Official records reportedly indicate that Senator Kingibe’s name appeared as number 21 on the committee’s final report, a claim she has now categorically denied, insisting that she neither reviewed nor endorsed the document.
Legal analysts say the controversy raises broader questions about legislative accountability, especially in disciplinary matters involving elected representatives. They argue that any perception of procedural irregularity could undermine public confidence in parliamentary oversight mechanisms.
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan itself has remained a subject of national debate since it was announced, with critics questioning both the circumstances that led to the disciplinary action and the transparency of the investigative process.
Civil society groups and political observers have also called for an independent review of the events surrounding the suspension, arguing that clarity is necessary to protect the integrity of the Senate and ensure fairness in disciplinary procedures.
As the controversy continues to unfold, attention is now focused on whether the Senate will reopen the matter or provide further clarification on how the committee report was compiled and approved.
For now, the dispute adds another layer of tension to an already sensitive political issue, highlighting ongoing concerns about governance practices, institutional transparency, and trust in legislative processes within Nigeria’s upper chamber.
