ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has disclosed that she never saw the committee report that formed the basis for the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite being associated with the proceedings that preceded the disciplinary action.
Kingibe made the revelation during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where she explained that she was attending a retreat on tax reforms at the time the report was being considered by the Senate.
According to her, the circumstances prevented her from reviewing the document before the Senate acted on it.
“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.
The FCT lawmaker explained that she attended a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register, and subsequently left for the tax reform retreat, which she believed was of greater importance to her constituents.
“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.
READ ALSO Oshiomhole Retracts Forgery Claim Over Natasha Suspension Report
Kingibe further revealed that she had raised concerns with 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.
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan has continued to generate public debate and legal scrutiny, with critics questioning both the procedure adopted by the Senate and the broader implications of the disciplinary action on legislative oversight and democratic representation.
Kingibe’s remarks introduce a new dimension to the controversy, suggesting that not every lawmaker involved in the committee process had access to the report that ultimately informed the Senate’s decision.
Her comments come days after Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, alleged that the signatures of at least three senators were either forged or improperly included in the committee report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.
Oshiomhole’s allegation followed an earlier statement by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.