A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside an earlier ruling that stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The court in a landmark judgement delivered on Friday, affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and is in line with the civic rights of the constituents.
The court urged the constituents to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.
Though, this decision follows a previous interim injunction issued by the court, which had temporarily restrained INEC and its representatives from accepting or acting on any recall petitions submitted by members of Kogi Central.
The injunction also prohibited the electoral body from conducting a referendum related to the recall effort until a Motion on Notice was determined.
The court granted the initial order based on an ex-parte application filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from the senatorial district.
Their counsel, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition contained falsified signatures.
The injunction remains in place, preventing INEC from accepting petitions with fraudulent signatures or conducting a referendum based on such documents.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on May 6, 2025.