Court halts attempt to recall Natasha Akpoti
A Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or acting on any petitions seeking to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.
The court granted the order on Thursday after an ex-parte application was filed, citing an “affidavit of extreme urgency.” The ruling comes amid reports of a recall effort gaining traction in the senator’s constituency.
Videos circulating on social media earlier this week appeared to show residents signing documents in support of the recall process. A source in Kogi confirmed that moves were indeed underway to oust Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Court documents obtained by TheCable indicate that the legal action was initiated by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central. The petitioners, represented by Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., argued that the recall petitions contained fraudulent signatures.
In response, the court issued a directive barring INEC and its representatives from acknowledging or processing any petitions related to the recall. Furthermore, it prohibited the commission from conducting a referendum on the matter until the case is fully resolved.
“That an interim injunction is granted restraining the defendant, staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petitions… containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of the said district,” the court order stated.
The recall attempt follows a recent controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan. On March 6, the senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber for “gross misconduct” after a seating arrangement dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension came shortly after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation that has further fueled political tensions.
