Kingibe: I Never Saw Report That Recommended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s SuspensionKingibe: I Never Saw Report That Recommended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stated that she never saw the committee report that recommended the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where she explained her involvement in the proceedings that culminated in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension earlier this year.

According to the FCT senator, although she attended the meeting of the Senate Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, she did not participate in reviewing the report before it was considered.

“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.

Kingibe explained that she signed the committee’s attendance register before leaving to attend a tax reform retreat, which she considered more critical 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,” she said.

“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.”

The senator further revealed that she later raised concerns with colleagues about not having access to the report before it was presented.

“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.

Kingibe’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding the report’s adoption. Earlier this week, Senator Adams Oshiomhole alleged that the signatures of at least three lawmakers were either forged or improperly included in the document recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

Speaking during an interview on AIT, Oshiomhole claimed that some senators whose names appeared on the report had privately informed him that they neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations. He specifically referenced Kingibe, saying she was surprised to find her name listed among the signatories.

However, Oshiomhole later withdrew the allegation on Wednesday, clarifying that no signatures were forged in the report.