Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has revealed that she never saw the committee report that formed the basis for the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, adding a fresh layer of controversy to one of the most debated decisions of the 10th Senate.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Kingibe said she was away at a tax reform retreat when the report was considered and therefore had no opportunity to review 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.
According to the FCT senator, she briefly attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register and left for a retreat focused on tax reform issues, which she considered more important 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,” she stated.
Kingibe disclosed that she had raised concerns about not seeing the report with several colleagues, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“I complained very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.
Her remarks come days after Senator Adams Oshiomhole reignited public debate over the suspension process by alleging that the names of some lawmakers appeared on the committee report despite not endorsing it.
The comments triggered widespread reactions within political circles and renewed scrutiny of the disciplinary process that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Oshiomhole later clarified that he was not alleging signature forgery, insisting that his comments had been misinterpreted. The Senate also rejected claims that any signatures were forged during the process.
The controversy traces back to March 2025 when Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months following recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The suspension followed a period of heightened tensions within the Senate and generated significant national debate over legislative accountability, due process and representation.
Earlier this month, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate, acknowledging that the episode negatively affected the chamber’s public image.
Kingibe’s latest revelation is expected to fuel further calls for transparency over the committee proceedings, especially as questions persist about whether all committee members had access to the report before the Senate adopted its recommendations.
