Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting petitions aimed at initiating a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The decision comes amid escalating efforts to recall the suspended senator, as more groups in Kogi Central express support for the movement. A group of Ebira indigenes has denied allegations that the process is being financially backed by political opponents of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court ruling also prohibits INEC staff, agents, and associated individuals from accepting or acting on any petitions that include fictitious signatures of alleged constituents from the Kogi Central Senatorial District. Also, the court has barred INEC from conducting any referendum related to the recall until a motion on notice is resolved.
The interim injunction was granted following an ex-parte application backed by an affidavit of urgent necessity, submitted by Anebe Jacob Ogirima on behalf of himself and four other registered voters from the Kogi Central Senatorial District. The application was presented by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
The case has been postponed until May 6, 2025, for a report on service and further proceedings.
In light of the court’s decision, the Action Collective, a pressure group, has praised the judiciary for this ruling.
Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the group’s coordinator, highlighted that the order could reveal the impunity of those behind the unsuccessful recall initiative against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
