The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two interlocutory motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the case challenging the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Hamman Barka, delivered the unanimous ruling on May 21, following the withdrawal of the motions by the appellant. The court also awarded N100,000 in costs against Akpabio.
The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, and marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025 respectively, sought to secure leave to appeal a ruling of the Federal High Court delivered on March 10, 2025, by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
Akpabio, through his legal team, had asked the appellate court to grant him leave to appeal the Federal High Court’s decision on grounds of mixed law and fact. He also sought an extension of time to file the appeal and a stay of proceedings in the case pending the determination of the appeal.
Listed as respondents in the appeal were Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.
The motions were withdrawn after being deemed overtaken by events, prompting the appellate court to strike them out and award costs in favour of the respondents.
