Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has said she never saw the committee report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time.
She said she was attending a tax reform retreat when the report was considered and did not get the chance to review 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.
Kingibe explained that she attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register and later left for the retreat.
“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.
She also said she complained to colleagues, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, about not seeing the report.
“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.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension triggered public debate and legal challenges, with critics questioning the process behind the action.
Kingibe’s remarks come days after Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole alleged that the signatures of at least three senators were forged or improperly included in the report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. The allegation followed comments by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
