L-R: Akpabio, Natasha
By Chioma Ebere
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two appeals filed by the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio against the suspension of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
The decision of the three-member panel of justices, comprising Justices Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang, was unanimous following Akpabio’s formal application to withdrawal his motions of appeal, which was pending before the court.
The appellate court therefore struck out Akpabio’s two motions of appeal filed before the court, dated 20th and 25th March 2025.
The court also ordered that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted, and awarded the sum of ₦100,000 in costs to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
It would be recalled that the Senate President had sought multiple reliefs from the appellate court, following a suit filed by Natasha challenging her suspension from the National Assembly after an altercation with Akpabio during plenary.
Among the reliefs he sought were an order enlarging the time within which he could seek leave to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
Another relief he sought was an order granting leave to appeal against the High Court’s decision in a judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on 10th March 2025.
He had also sought an order extending the time within which he could file a Notice of Appeal against the said judgment.
Akpabio also sought an order staying further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of his appeal.
