Omotayo Adigun
The Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction, effectively halting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with any actions related to a recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The court’s order specifically restrains INEC, its staff, and agents from receiving, accepting, or carrying out any petition containing what are alleged to be fabricated signatures of purported constituents.
The injunction, granted on Thursday, March 20, 2025, by Justice Isa H. Dashen, followed an ex parte application moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., representing Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other plaintiffs, all registered voters within the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The plaintiffs had submitted an affidavit of extreme urgency, asserting the fraudulent nature of the recall petition.
In his ruling, Justice Dashen emphasized the need to prevent INEC from conducting any referendum based on the disputed petition, pending a full hearing on the matter. The court’s order, under Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, explicitly restrains INEC from any action related to the recall process until the motion on notice is determined.
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The court has set May 6, 2025, as the return date for a report of service and further mention of the case.
The development comes amidst allegations that the recall attempt is being sponsored by a close associate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. These allegations have surfaced against the backdrop of separate accusations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.
The court’s intervention has effectively placed a temporary freeze on the recall process, raising questions about the legitimacy of the petition and the political motivations behind it.