Natasha: Court restrains INEC from receiving petition for the recall

The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with its staff and agents, from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition that contains fictitious signatures purportedly from members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The order also prohibits INEC from conducting any referendum based on such a petition to initiate the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This decision followed an ex parte application for an interim injunction, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency and other court documents sworn by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, on behalf of himself and four other registered voters and constituents of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The application, presented by Smart Nwachimere, Esq. of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., was granted on Thursday, March 20, 2025. In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Isa H. Dashen, delivered his judgment in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025.
“Upon this Motion Ex-parte dated March 19, 2025, and filed on March 20, 2025, in the Registry of this Honourable Court, praying the Court for the following reliefs:
An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant (INEC), their staff, agents, privies, or assigns from receiving, accepting, or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petition submitted by any person or persons containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The order also restrains INEC from conducting any referendum upon such a petition for the purpose of initiating a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The court then issued the following orders: An interim injunction is granted, and the return date for a service report and further mention is set for May 6, 2025.
Earlier this week, concerns were raised about the proposed recall process, which was reportedly being backed by a close associate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Senate President has faced accusations of sexual harassment from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.