Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Federal High Court located in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its employees, or representatives from taking, acknowledging, or proceeding with any petition featuring fabricated signatures of alleged members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
While giving a ruling in case number FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, the court further barred INEC from holding any referendum relying on such a petition to start the recall procedure of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This directive came after an ex parte request for an interim injunction, backed by an affidavit of utmost urgency and additional court documents affirmed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, representing himself and four other plaintiffs, all registered voters and residents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The request, presented by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., from West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., was approved on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
The presiding judge, while approving the applicants’ requests, stated, “Upon this Motion Ex-parte dated March 19, 2025, and filed on March 20, 2025, in the Registry of this Honourable Court, praying the Court for the following reliefs:
“An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant (INEC), their staff, agents, privies, or assigns from receiving, accepting, or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petition submitted by any person or persons containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
“The order also restrains INEC from conducting any referendum upon such a petition for the purpose of initiating a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The court then directed as follows: That an interim injunction is granted. That the return date shall be May 6, 2025, for a report of service and further mention.
This ruling was issued two days after certain members of the constituents, reportedly supported by some of Natasha’s political rivals, initiated her recall process within her constituency.
Videos that spread widely online depicted the constituents lining up in large numbers to sign the recall petition. This action follows weeks after she alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, engaged in sexu@l harassment.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli