By our Reporter
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has lifted an earlier order that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting a recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a landmark ruling on Friday, the court affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of Kogi Central Senatorial District constituents. It also urged the petitioners to exercise their rights in a peaceful and orderly manner.
This decision follows the court’s interim injunction on Thursday, which temporarily restrained INEC from receiving, accepting, or acting on any recall petition or conducting a referendum regarding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal.
The injunction was granted after an ex-parte application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four others, all registered voters in Kogi Central. Their counsel, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition contained fictitious signatures.
While the court has now permitted the recall process to proceed, INEC remains barred from accepting petitions with fake signatures or conducting a referendum based on such fraudulent documents.
The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
