A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has lifted its previous order that had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a significant ruling on Friday, the court upheld the constitutional validity of the recall process initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District, emphasizing that it aligns with their democratic rights. The court urged the constituents to exercise these rights peacefully and lawfully.
This ruling follows an interim injunction issued on Thursday, which had temporarily restrained INEC from receiving, processing, or acting on the recall petition. The injunction also prohibited the electoral body from conducting any referendum based on the petition until a pending motion was resolved.
The injunction had been granted in response to an ex-parte application filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central, citing concerns over alleged fictitious signatures in the recall petition. Their counsel, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the petition lacked authenticity due to the inclusion of fraudulent entries.
While lifting the restriction, the court maintained that INEC must not act on any recall petitions containing fake or fraudulent signatures.
Further proceedings in the case have been scheduled for May 6, 2025.
