Godsent Ogbebor
Court Hinders INEC from Receiving Petition to Recall Natasha
The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures purportedly from members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The court also barred INEC from conducting any referendum based on such a petition aimed at initiating the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Their application, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., and granted on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Read Also: Senate Rejects Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Alleged Arrest Claims
Presiding over the case (Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025), Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled:
“An order of interim injunction is hereby granted, restraining the Defendant (INEC), their staff, agents, privies, or assigns from receiving, accepting, or acting on any purported petition containing fictitious signatures and names of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The order also restrains INEC from conducting any referendum upon such a petition for the purpose of initiating a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The court set May 6, 2025, as the return date for a report on service and further proceedings.
Earlier this week, concerns were raised over the recall process, which was reportedly being pushed by a close associate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has previously accused Akpabio of alleged sexual harassment, a claim that has further fueled political tensions surrounding the recall attempt.
