The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after his legal team decided to withdraw them.
The motions were connected to a case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The legal battle started after the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on March 10, 2025, that the Senate Committee should not proceed with any investigation or disciplinary action against Senator Natasha.
This followed a heated exchange between her and Akpabio on the Senate floor in February.
In reaction to the ruling, Akpabio had asked the appellate court to allow him more time to file an appeal, to permit the appeal process itself, and to stop further proceedings.
The motions, dated March 20 and 25, were brought before a panel of three Appeal Court justices: Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang.
However, during the court session, Akpabio’s lawyer, Deborah D. Anyanwu, informed the panel of the decision to pull back the motions.
The court accepted the withdrawal and removed the motions from its list.
The justices also directed that the appeal connected to the motions be erased from official court records.
As a result, the Appeal Court ordered that ₦100,000 be paid to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as costs.
The order was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Josephine J. Ekperobe.
Before this, Natasha’s legal team had asked the court to stop the Senate from taking any steps against her during the case, saying that the disciplinary actions were not in line with proper legal procedures.
No official reason was given for the sudden withdrawal by Akpabio’s team, but the move suggests that a shift in approach might be taking place within the Senate or his legal camp.
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