A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting any petition for the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Kogi Central lawmaker on Friday, March 21, secured an injunction from the court to prevent the electoral body from accepting the recall petition from some members of her constituency.
This directive by the court follows a recall process allegedly initiated by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents on Wednesday.
Some members of her constituency were said to have gathered to collate signatures which would help them begin her recall process following the senator’s brawl with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Although INEC has said that it is not aware of the recall process, the court granted the interim injunction pending its decision on the motion.
The decision of the court follows an ex-parte application for interim injunction supported by an affidavit by Anebe Jacob Ogirima.
Ogirima made the application on behalf of himself and four other registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In its order, the court said an interim injunction is granted to restrain the defendant, staff, agents of INEC from receiving any purported petition for the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“That the enrolled order of this honourable court alongside the Motion on notice be served on the defendant/Respondent pending the determination of the substantive suit. That the return date shall be the 6th day of May 2025 for report of service and further mention,” the court said.
He further adjourned the matter to May 6, 2025 for a report of service and further mention.
