By Sunday Ani
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, seeking permission to appeal a Federal High Court’s judgment in favour of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court granted Akpabio’s application to withdraw both motions, effectively ending the legal challenge for now.
In a ruling delivered on May 21, 2025, the appellate panel led by Justices Hamma Barka, Adekunola Banjoko and Okon Abang, granted the withdrawal of motions dated March 20 and March 25, 2025, filed by Akpabio. The motions had sought extension of time and permission to appeal the March 10 judgment of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The original suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, had challenged the conduct of the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate and key Senate officials, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen.
Although the details of the Federal High Court’s ruling were not rehashed, Akpabio’s motions were premised on alleged mixed issues of law and fact.
Appeal numbers CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395/M1/2025 and CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395/M2/2025 were affected by the withdrawal. The court ordered that appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395/W2025 be deleted from its register and awarded a nominal cost of ₦100,000 against the Senate President in favour of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Appearing for the appellant was Deborah Anyanwu, while Akpoti-Uduaghan was represented by Peter Erhiwode, joined by Daniel Akpoviroro, A.E. Imadegbelo and Y.M. Zakari. The Senate was represented by Arnold Ubua. Both the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Imasuen, who were also listed as respondents, were duly served.
Though the withdrawal brings temporary closure to the appeal effort, legal observers said the strategic move could indicate a shift in tactics by Akpabio’s legal team, as they may be preparing to relaunch their case under different procedural grounds.
For now, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal victory at the Federal High Court stands unchallenged, solidifying her position in the ongoing political and institutional dispute, involving top senate figures.