Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has stated that she did not see the report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
Kingibe made the clarification on Wednesday night, June 17, during an interview on Arise Television, where she explained that she was away at a tax reform retreat when the committee concluded its work.
According to her, she was present at the initial meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions alongside other members, where she signed the attendance register before leaving for the retreat.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee. We attended the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time,” she said.
She added that the retreat was more relevant to her legislative priorities at the time, noting that she believed other committee members would complete the assignment in her absence.
“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were part of that committee would take care of it,” she said.
Kingibe further insisted that she could not have endorsed the committee’s findings because she never had access to the final document.
“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.
Her comments come amid controversy in the Senate following allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that attendance signatures of some committee members were attached to the report without proper endorsement.
However, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu has dismissed claims of procedural irregularities, insisting that the suspension process followed due process and Senate rules.