Court Blocks INEC from Processing Petition to Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Federal High court in Lokoja has granted an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving or acting on petitions containing allegedly fictitious signatures seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court’s ruling, issued on Thursday in suit number FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, followed an ex parte application for an interim injunction filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District. The application was supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency and other legal documents, presented by Smart Nwachimere Esq. of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
The recent move to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stems from growing political tension in Kogi Central. Efforts to initiate her recall emerged following allegations that some political figures were sponsoring petitions containing falsified signatures to undermine her position.
The petitioners claim that the signatures used to support the recall effort are fake and politically motivated.
Presiding over the case, Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled that an interim injunction is granted, restraining INEC and its representatives from processing or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures.
The court also directed that INEC be served with the enrolled order along with the Motion on Notice, pending the resolution of the substantive suit.
A pressure group, Action Collective, praised the judiciary for granting the order, stating that it will further expose the impunity of those behind the recall process. The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report on service and further proceedings.
Sources close to the matter have revealed that the recall process is part of a larger plot orchestrated by Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to remove Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from office forcefully.
The senator was suspended after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
