The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and imposed a ₦100,000 fine against him, awarding the cost to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

A three-member panel of the court, led by Justice Hamman Barka, delivered the ruling on May 21, 2025, following Akpabio’s request to withdraw the motions.

 

The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025 (suit numbers CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025), listed Akpabio as the appellant, with respondents including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

 

Akpabio had sought several reliefs, including an extension of time to file an appeal against the March 10, 2025 ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a case instituted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

He also requested leave to appeal the decision on grounds of mixed law and fact, as well as a stay of proceedings in the ongoing case at the Federal High Court.

 

However, upon his application to withdraw the motions, the Court granted the request, struck out both motions, and ordered Akpabio to pay ₦100,000 in costs to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

In its ruling, the 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 ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”

 

The ruling marks a legal win for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in the ongoing dispute.