JUST IN: Court of Appeal Strikes Out Akpabio’s Motions Against Senator Natasha, Orders Him to Pay ₦100,000 in Costs

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his legal dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court, in a ruling delivered on May 21, 2025, also imposed a ₦100,000 cost against Akpabio in favor of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, sought an extension of time for Akpabio to file an appeal and a stay of proceedings in the ongoing case at the Federal High Court. The case, Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, challenges procedural actions taken by the Senate, with respondents including the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

A three-member panel led by Justice Hamman Barka granted Akpabio’s request to withdraw the motions and subsequently struck them out. The court ruled:

“Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted, and the motions are hereby struck out. Costs of ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 is to be deleted.”