The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and awarded N100,000 in costs against him in favour of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Hamman Barka, delivered the ruling on May 21, after Akpabio filed an application to withdraw the motions.
A certified true copy of the decision surfaced on Tuesday night.
The motions, dated March 20 and March 25, 2025 and marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, listed Akpabio as the appellant. The respondents in the matter were Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate and the chairman of the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, Senator Neda Imasuem.
In the appeal, Akpabio asked the Court of Appeal for “an order of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may seek leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal.”
He also sought “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 Akpoti-Uduaghan 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.”
In addition, the Senate President prayed the court for “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 Akpoti-Uduaghan 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.”
He further requested “an order of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan 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.”
Ruling on the matter, the appellate court stated: “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 N100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”
The decision marks a legal victory for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan amid her ongoing tussle with top legislative officials at the National Assembly.
