The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has struck out two interlocutory motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his ongoing legal battle with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate. The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, were withdrawn by Akpabio’s legal team, prompting the appellate court to dismiss them and impose a cost of ₦100,000 against him in favor of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The three-member panel led by Justice Hamman Barka delivered the ruling on May 21, 2025, ordering the deletion of the appeal number linked to the motions. Akpabio had sought, among other things, an extension of time to file a notice of appeal against a Federal High Court ruling delivered on March 10, 2025, and a stay of proceedings in the lower court case pending the appeal’s determination.
The respondents named in the motions included Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
This ruling represents a significant setback for Akpabio’s efforts to challenge the High Court’s decision on the suspension. The legal tussle between the two senators has attracted considerable attention, with Akpoti-Uduaghan also pursuing other related court actions, including defamation suits against Akpabio and his aides.
The court’s decision underscores the ongoing complexities and high stakes in this political and legal confrontation.
