Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has revealed that she never had access to the committee report that formed the basis for the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, saying she was away attending a tax reform retreat when the report was considered.
The senator explained that she had participated in a sitting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register, and later left for the retreat.
She said she chose to attend the tax reform meeting because she believed it had a more direct impact on the interests of her constituents than the disciplinary matter before the committee.
“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,” Kingibe said.
She added that she informed some colleagues about her inability to access the document, specifically mentioning 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 stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension by the Senate has continued to attract public reactions, with critics questioning the procedure that led to the decision.
Kingibe’s comments have added to the controversy, raising concerns over whether all lawmakers involved in the process reviewed the report before the suspension was approved.
The controversy deepened after Senator Adams Oshiomhole alleged that the signatures of some senators were forged or wrongly included in the report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Oshiomhole’s claim followed a statement by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the suspension as one of the most difficult moments for the 10th Senate.
