The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has struck out two motions filed by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with an ongoing legal tussle with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In its ruling, the appellate court, presided over by Justice Hamman Barka, not only struck out the motions but also awarded a cost of N100,000 against Senator Akpabio in favour of the 1st respondent.

Justice Barka held: “Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on the 20th and 25th of March, 2025, is granted and the same struck out. Cost of N100,000 awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 is to be deleted.”

Senator Akpabio had approached the court seeking several reliefs, including an extension of time within which he could seek leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, delivered on March 10, 2025, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, presided over by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu.

He also sought leave of the Court of Appeal to appeal that decision on grounds of mixed law and fact as stated in his proposed notice of appeal, an order enlarging the time to file his notice of appeal, and an order staying further proceedings in the Federal High Court case pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

With the Court of Appeal’s decision to strike out the motions and impose a cost sanction, Akpabio’s legal bid to challenge the High Court’s ruling has encountered a significant setback.