The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who sought to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court not only struck out the motions but also awarded ₦100,000 in costs in favor of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.The dispute stems from an altercation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan on February 20, 2025, after which the Senate Committee initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Kogi Central senator.
However, a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on March 10, 2025, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, halted the committee’s actions.
The injunction followed an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
In response, Akpabio filed two motions on March 20 and 25, 2025, asking the Appeal Court to allow him to challenge the lower court’s ruling.His legal representative, Deborah D. Anyanwu, argued for:
“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 Judicial Division delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.”
She further requested:
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision.
“AN ORDER enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may file their Notice of Appeal… and AN ORDER… staying further proceeding… pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal.”
However, Akpabio’s legal team later applied to withdraw the motions. In its ruling delivered on May 21, 2025, a three-member panel led by Justice Hamma A. Barka, with Justices Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Okon E. Abang concurring, struck out the motions.
“It is hereby ordered that: Application seeking to withdraw the two Motions dated and filed on the 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and same struck out.”
“Cost of ₦100,000 awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted,” the ruling read.
According to the enrolled order signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Josephine J. Ekperobe, the court granted the withdrawal and removed the appeal from its records.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier asked the Federal High Court to stop the Senate and its committee from continuing any disciplinary action against her, arguing:
“I pray the court to grant an order restraining the Senate and its ethics committee from proceeding with the purported investigation.”
She also urged the court to declare that:
“Any action taken during the pendency of this suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
Justice Egwuatu had ordered the defendants to respond within 72 hours of being served, explaining why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued.
Despite this, Akpabio moved to challenge the ruling, only to later backtrack and withdraw the motions, culminating in the appeal court’s latest decision and cost sanction.
