BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Accepting Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha

BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Accepting Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha

By Fly Cable News

The Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving petitions aimed at initiating a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The recall campaign gained momentum on Thursday, with more groups in Kogi Central supporting the move. However, some Ebira indigenes dismissed claims that the process was financially influenced by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political rivals.

The court order, issued on Thursday, also prohibits INEC officials, agents, or associates from accepting or acting on petitions containing fabricated signatures from purported Kogi Central constituents. It further halts any referendum on the matter until a ruling on the motion on notice.

According to court documents released on Friday, the order was granted following an ex-parte application for an interim injunction supported by an affidavit citing extreme urgency. The application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central.

The motion was presented by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co. The court has scheduled the case for further mention on May 6, 2025.

Reacting to the ruling, a pressure group, Action Collective, praised the judiciary for upholding the law. The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, stated that the order would expose the alleged impunity of individuals behind the failed recall attempt.