In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two appeals filed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in relation to the suspension lawsuit involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The appellate court, in a unanimous ruling delivered by Justices Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang, dismissed the motions dated March 20 and 25, 2025, following a formal application for their withdrawal.
The court further awarded ₦100,000 in costs to the 1st respondent, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and ordered the deletion of Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 from its docket.
Senator Akpabio had sought multiple reliefs, including:
1. An extension of time to seek leave to appeal the March 10, 2025, ruling of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
2. Leave to appeal the High Court’s decision.
3. An extension of time to file a Notice of Appeal.
4. A stay of proceedings in the lower court pending appeal.
However, the voluntary withdrawal and the court’s striking out of the motions mean that the reliefs sought by the Senate President have been effectively rendered void at this stage of litigation.
This ruling represents a major procedural victory for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her legal challenge over a suspension widely viewed as politically charged.
The Court of Appeal’s decision not only reaffirms her standing but also underscores the judiciary’s stance on premature or procedurally flawed appeals.
Credit: Actual Times except headline
