The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against a Federal High Court judgment that barred the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The motions, dated March 20 and March 25, 2025, respectively, sought permission to appeal the March 10, 2025, decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
Justice Egwuatu’s ruling, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Clerk of the National Assembly & 3 Others, granted an injunction restraining the Senate Committee from proceeding with the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan. The decision followed an ex parte application by her counsel.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District, had been summoned by the Senate Committee following an altercation with Akpabio on February 20, 2025.
The two motions were subsequently struck out after Akpabio’s legal team filed applications to withdraw them.
According to the document, the Kogi senator prayed that the court grant an order restraining the Senate and its ethics committee from “proceeding with the purported investigation” against her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the court to grant an order “declaring that any action taken during the pendency of this suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever”.
The presiding judge ruled that the defendants should come and show cause within 72 hours, upon the service of the order, why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.
Not satisfied with the decisions of the court, Senator Akpabio appealed against the order through his Counsel, Deborah D. Anyanwu.
The Appellant sought among others, “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 & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.
“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 & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.
“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 & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 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 & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”
Ruling on the motions, which were identical in content but filed on different dates, the Court of Appeal struck them out following an application by Akpabio’s legal team to withdraw them.
In the decision delivered on May 21, 2025, the three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Hamma A. Barka, also ordered Senate President Akpabio to pay ₦100,000 in costs to the 1st Respondent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court’s enrolled order, signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Josephine J. Ekperobe, confirmed that the application to withdraw the motions was granted, and the motions were accordingly struck out.
Additionally, the court directed that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted from its records.
Justice Barka delivered the lead judgment, with Justices Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Okon E. Abang concurring.
The court decisions partly read: “This Court, Wednesday the 21st day of May, 2025, upon reading the Motion on Notice filed on the 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 together with the Affidavit in support deposed to by Toyo Jimmy.
“And after hearing, Deborah D. Anyanwu for the Appellant. Peter Erviwode with Daniel Akpoviroro, A. Ε. Imadegbelo and Y. M. Zakari for the 1st Respondent. Arnold Ubua for the 3rd Respondent.
“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 N100,000 awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”
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