Court of Appeal Strikes Out Akpabio’s Motions Against Judgment Protecting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio challenging a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from disciplining Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The motions, filed on March 20 and 25, 2025, sought leave to appeal the March 10 decision of Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which restrained the Senate committee from investigating the Kogi Central senator following her altercation with Akpabio during a Senate session on February 20.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through an ex parte application, had secured an interim order from the Federal High Court preventing the Senate from initiating or continuing any disciplinary proceedings against her. She argued that any action taken during the pendency of the suit would be null and void.

Not satisfied with the ruling, Akpabio, through his counsel Deborah D. Anyanwu, filed applications seeking an extension of time to appeal and a stay of proceedings. However, his legal team later applied to withdraw the motions.

In a ruling delivered on May 21, 2025, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Hamma A. Barka, granted the application for withdrawal and struck out the motions. Justices Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Okon E. Abang concurred.

The court also ordered that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted from its records and awarded ₦100,000 in costs to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court’s order, signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Josephine J. Ekperobe, confirmed that the withdrawal application was heard and granted. The motions, which were virtually identical and filed on different dates, were formally struck out.

This development marks a significant legal victory for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has maintained that the disciplinary action was politically motivated following her confrontation with the Senate President.