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In a major legal and political development, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has struck out two appeals filed by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, challenging a Federal High Court judgment in favour of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her suspension from the Senate.

The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, by a panel of three justices, effectively reinforces the decision of the Federal High Court and delivers a symbolic victory to Senator Natasha in her widely watched legal battle for legislative justice and accountability.

The three-man panel—comprising Justices Hamma A. Barka, Adebukunola A. Banjoko, and Okon E. Abang—unanimously granted a motion for withdrawal of two appeals earlier filed by Senator Akpabio against the High Court’s decision in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The appeals, which were marked CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 and CA/ABJ/CV/TA/1156/2025, were accordingly struck out. The court also issued a consequential order directing the removal of Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 from the appellate docket entirely, thereby closing the chapter on the attempted appellate challenge—at least for now.

In addition to striking out the motions, the Court of Appeal ordered the appellant, Senator Akpabio, to pay the sum of ₦100,000 to the 1st respondent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as costs.

The ruling is a direct blow to the Senate President’s legal team, which had filed motions dated March 20 and March 25, 2025, seeking various forms of appellate relief, including leave to appeal out of time, extension of time to file a notice of appeal, and a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

The genesis of the dispute traces back to March 10, 2025, when Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court delivered judgment in a suit filed by Senator Natasha challenging her suspension from the Senate.

The suspension, which stemmed from proceedings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, followed the submission of a petition against her—raising concerns from legal observers and civil society advocates about due process, political bias, and abuse of parliamentary procedures.

Rather than comply with the Federal High Court’s ruling, Senator Akpabio sought to contest it at the Court of Appeal. However, the subsequent withdrawal of the two appeals at this stage suggests a strategic recalibration or a possible legal dead-end for the Senate leadership.

The appellate court did not entertain arguments on the merits of the appeal, as the motions were voluntarily withdrawn by the appellant.

While the court’s decision was procedural in nature, its impact is substantial. The dismissal of the appeals means that the High Court’s judgment in favor of Senator Natasha remains standing and unchallenged, for now. It also calls into question the legality of her suspension and supports her assertion that the action taken against her lacked constitutional and procedural legitimacy.

Legal analysts interpret the appellate court’s judgment as a validation of the principle that internal legislative discipline must operate within the bounds of the law and constitutional rights. For Senator Natasha, the ruling is not just a personal legal triumph but a reinforcement of democratic accountability and legislative integrity in Nigeria’s political institutions.

The award of ₦100,000 in costs to Senator Natasha also marks a judicial rebuke of what could be seen as a frivolous or ill-considered appellate action, and it may have a chilling effect on future attempts to use institutional power to sidestep judicial scrutiny.

Reactions to the development have begun to pour in from various quarters. Supporters of Senator Natasha hailed the judgment as a vindication of her resilience and commitment to upholding the rule of law, while civil society groups are pointing to the decision as a watershed moment in the fight against political impunity and legislative high-handedness.

With the appeal process now effectively closed at this level, the spotlight returns to the Senate’s handling of internal disciplinary matters and the broader implications for the independence and rights of individual legislators. Whether this ruling will usher in more cautious and constitutionally compliant conduct within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber remains to be seen.

As the dust settles from this landmark appellate ruling, the broader message is unmistakable: even the highest-ranking officials in the National Assembly are not above the law, and any attempt to silence dissent or punish political opposition through procedural manipulation will be rigorously tested in the courts.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, now legally emboldened, continues to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District and remains a vocal advocate for legislative transparency, women’s political empowerment, and good governance. Her victory at the Court of Appeal reinforces her rising stature as one of the most resilient and principled voices in Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly.

The legal and political reverberations of today’s ruling will no doubt continue to echo in the weeks to come.

StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least 11472 times!