The Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or acting on any petitions seeking to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.
The order was granted on Thursday following an ex-parte application supported by an “affidavit of extreme urgency.”
Recall process in motion
On Wednesday, videos circulating on social media appeared to show constituents signing documents as part of the recall process. A source in Kogi confirmed that efforts were underway to remove the senator.
Court documents seen by TheCable indicate that the application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central, represented by Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
Court blocks recall process
The court’s ruling prevents INEC and its representatives from accepting or acting on any recall petitions, that the applicants claim contain fictitious signatures.
Additionally, the order bars the electoral commission from conducting a referendum on the matter until the substantive case is resolved.
“That an interim injunction is granted restraining the defendant, staff, agents, privies, or assigns from receiving, accepting, or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petitions submitted to the defendant by any person or persons whatsoever, containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of the said district and conducting any referendum to initiate a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as senator pending the determination of the motion,” the court order reads.
The court also directed that the order and motion on notice be served on INEC.
Suspension controversy
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following a dispute over seating arrangements with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She had previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
