Federal High Court Clears Path for Senator Natasha’s Recall Process

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, has lifted a previous restriction on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), allowing it to proceed with the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by her constituents in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In its ruling delivered on Friday, the court affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and falls within the civic rights of the constituents. It encouraged them to exercise their rights in a lawful and peaceful manner.

The decision came a day after the same court had granted an interim injunction temporarily restraining INEC, its staff, agents, and assigns from receiving or acting on any petition bearing the signatures of Kogi Central constituents, and from conducting any referendum related to the recall until the court considered a Motion on Notice.

The injunction followed an Ex-parte application supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from the senatorial district. Their counsel, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition contained fictitious signatures.

While the court’s ruling now permits INEC to proceed with the recall process, it still restrains the commission from acting on petitions found to contain fake signatures or from conducting a referendum based on such documents.

The matter has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further hearing.