Federal High Court Approves Recall Process For Senator Natasha Akpoti

A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has overturned an earlier ruling that prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from processing a recall request against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

KanyiDaily recalls that the court had previously issued an interim order preventing the INEC from accepting or acting on any recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti that contains fake signatures.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, the court confirmed that the recall process is legally valid and upholds the constitutional rights of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The court also encouraged constituents to exercise their rights peacefully and lawfully.

This decision follows a temporary injunction issued on Thursday, which had barred INEC and its representatives from accepting or acting on any petition signed by Kogi Central constituents seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti.

The court had also prohibited INEC from conducting a referendum based on such a petition until a final ruling was made.

The injunction was granted after an ex-parte application supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four others, who are registered voters in the senatorial district.

Their lawyer, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition included fraudulent signatures from people falsely listed as constituents.

However, the court’s latest ruling lifts the restriction on INEC, allowing the recall process to move forward.

The case has been scheduled for further hearing on May 6, 2025.

KanyiDaily recalls that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently suspended following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements on February 20.