By Akpos Oje
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two appeals filed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, challenging the continuation of a suspension suit initiated by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal High Court.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justices Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang, the appellate court struck out the motions dated March 20 and 25, 2025, following a formal application by Akpabio’s legal team to withdraw them.
The court also awarded the sum of ₦100,000 in costs to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the first respondent in the matter. In addition, the court ordered that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be removed from its list of pending cases.
Senator Akpabio had approached the appellate court seeking several reliefs, including an extension of time to seek leave to appeal the March 10, 2025, ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
He also sought leave to appeal against the High Court’s ruling, an extension of time to file a Notice of Appeal, and a stay of further proceedings in the High Court pending the determination of the appeal.
With the withdrawal and subsequent striking out of the motions, all reliefs sought by the Senate President have been effectively nullified at this stage.
The decision marks a significant legal victory for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the ongoing legal tussle surrounding her controversial suspension.
