The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and imposed a ₦100,000 cost against him.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamman Barka, dismissed the motions on May 21, 2025, after Akpabio requested to withdraw the appeal.
Waffi TV obtained a certified true copy of the ruling on Tuesday night.
The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, with suit numbers CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, listed Akpabio as the appellant.
The respondents in the case included Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Akpabio had sought, among other reliefs, an order extending the time to seek leave to appeal the Federal High Court’s ruling of March 10, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, which was filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others. The ruling, delivered by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu, was being challenged on grounds of mixed law and fact, as outlined in Akpabio’s proposed Notice of Appeal.
“An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice | Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025, on Grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.
“An order of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may file their Notice of appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025.
“An order of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit No: FCH/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”
The court, in its ruling, held, “Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and the motions are struck out.
“Costs of ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”
