My Signature Was Used on a Report I Never Saw,' Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has raised fresh concerns over the handling of a Senate committee report on Senator Natasha's suspension, declaring that she neither participated in the consideration of the document nor saw its contents before it was submitted.

Kingibe made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television's Prime Time programme, where she responded to allegations surrounding the purported use of her signature on a report she insists she had no knowledge of.

According to the senator, while she initially attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions alongside other members, she left shortly after signing the attendance register to participate in a Tax Reform Retreat, which she considered more critical because of its direct impact on her constituents in the FCT.

"I made it clear to everyone that I was not present when the report was considered. Senator Neda Imasuen and I were together at the retreat, and I openly complained about the situation," Kingibe said.

She explained that she had assumed other members of the committee would conclude deliberations on the disciplinary matter before the panel and produce any necessary recommendations. However, she said she was surprised to later learn that a report had been issued without her involvement.

"When I heard about the committee's report, I was surprised because I was not part of that process," she stated.

The senator further disclosed that she repeatedly complained to fellow lawmakers, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, about not having access to the report.

"Subsequently, I complained bitterly to several colleagues, including Senator Abaribe, that I had not seen the report. In fact, I did not see the report at the time it was produced, and to this day, I have still not seen it," she said.

Kingibe's remarks come amid growing controversy over allegations that her signature may have been appended to the committee's report despite her absence from the proceedings that produced it. Her claims are likely to intensify scrutiny of the committee's processes and fuel demands for greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of Senate investigations and disciplinary actions.

The development has added a new dimension to the unfolding controversy, with observers expecting further clarification from the Senate committee and its leadership on the circumstances surrounding the preparation and endorsement of the report.