Two motions filed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, have been dismissed by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division and N100,000 fine awarded against him.
Presiding over a three-member panel, Justice Hamman Barka, reportedly dismissed the motions on May 21 following its withdrawal on request.
The court ruling read, “Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and the motions are struck out. Costs of ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”
Earlier, a separately dated March 3 and 25 motions labelled CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, cited Mr Akpabio as an appellant.
The respondents to the motions were Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the clerk of the National Assembly and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The reliefs sought by Mr Akpabio include, “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 in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal.”
Also “an order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the appellant/applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and three ohers. (Coram: Honourable Justice | Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025, on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B,” was sought.
“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 No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. 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 No: FCH/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and three others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the appellant/applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”
