Court Of Appeal Strikes Out Akpabio’s Motions, Fines Him ₦100,000

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

A three-member panel led by Justice Hamman Barka delivered the ruling on May 21, 2025, following Akpabio’s application to withdraw the motions. A certified true copy of the ruling was obtained by PUNCH Online on Tuesday night.

The motions, marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, were dated March 3 and March 25, 2025. The respondents included Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

Akpabio had approached the court seeking several reliefs, including an extension of time to appeal a judgment delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on March 10, 2025.

He also sought leave to appeal the ruling on grounds of mixed law and fact, an order staying further proceedings in the suit, and permission to file his notice of appeal outside the stipulated timeframe.

In its ruling, the appellate court stated:
“Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and the motions are struck out.
Costs of ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”