A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing alleged fictitious signatures aimed at recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Isa H. Dashen granted the order in suit number FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, effectively halting any referendum process initiated through such a petition.
The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The application, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., and was granted on March 20, 2025.
In granting the injunction, the court ordered that:
INEC, its staff, agents, and assigns are restrained from receiving, accepting, or acting on any recall petition containing alleged fictitious signatures.
INEC is prohibited from conducting any referendum based on such a petition pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
The court set May 6, 2025, as the return date for a report on service and further mention.
This ruling comes just days after some constituents, allegedly backed by Natasha’s political opponents, began the recall process.
Viral videos showed individuals queuing to sign the petition. The move follows Natasha’s recent allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.