Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two motions submitted by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, imposing costs of ₦100,000 against him.
Gatekeepers News reports that the three-judge panel, led by Justice Hamman Barka, made the decision to strike out the motions after Akpabio requested to withdraw the appeal.
In this case, Akpabio was named as the appellant, while the respondents included Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate itself, and Senator Neda Imasuem, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
In the appeal, Akpabio sought the following reliefs, “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, in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs the Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others, delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal.
“An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs 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 the Grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.
“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 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan vs. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025.
“An order of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs 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”.
The court, in its ruling, held that the application seeking to withdraw the two motions was granted and the motions, struck out.
The appellate court further held that the cost of ₦100,000 was awarded to Senator Natasha, and the appeal was dismissed.
