Court Dismisses Akpabio’s Appeal Against Natasha Akpoti, Fines Him ₦100,000

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and ordered him to pay ₦100,000 in costs.

A three-judge panel, led by Justice Hamman Barka, struck out the motions after Akpabio requested to withdraw the appeal.

The motions had listed Akpabio as the appellant, with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem (Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions) as the respondents.

In the appeal, Akpabio had asked the court for permission to challenge a ruling delivered on March 10, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

His requests included more time to file an appeal and to halt ongoing proceedings related to the case.

In the appeal, Akpabio sought the following reliefs, “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, in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs the Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others, delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal.

“An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice | Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025, on the 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 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan vs. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025.

“An order of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan vs Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court”.

But after Akpabio decided to pull out of the legal fight, the court formally struck out the motions and awarded ₦100,000 in legal costs to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The appeal was also dismissed.

KanyiDaily recalls that two separate courts in the Federal Capital Territory recently summoned Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi over allegations made by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.