A Federal High Court in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, has overturned an earlier ruling that had prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting the recall petition initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the court affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and in line with the civic rights of the constituents. The court encouraged the constituents to continue exercising their rights in a peaceful and orderly manner.
This decision follows a previous ruling on Thursday, when the court had granted an interim injunction, temporarily restraining INEC, its staff, agents, and affiliates from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition bearing signatures from members of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The court also prohibited INEC from conducting a referendum related to the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan until the motion on notice was fully determined.
The injunction was granted after an Ex-parte application supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Counsel for the applicants, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition contained fraudulent signatures purportedly from constituents. The court’s injunction specifically restricts INEC, its staff, and agents from accepting recall petitions with forged signatures and conducting any referendum based on such petitions.
The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
