WATCH THE VIDEO HERE A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has reversed its earlier decision that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving the recall petition initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a ruling delivered on Friday, the court affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and in line with the civic rights of the constituents. The court encouraged the constituents to continue exercising their rights in a peaceful and orderly manner. The ruling followed an earlier decision by the court on Thursday, which granted an interim injunction prohibiting INEC from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition with signatures from members of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The injunction also prevented INEC from conducting any referendum to initiate the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of a Motion on Notice regarding the same issue. The application for the interim injunction was filed in an Ex-parte motion supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, submitted by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District. The applicants had argued that the recall petitions contained fictitious signatures from individuals who were not constituents of the district. While the court’s injunction was aimed at preventing the use of fake signatures, the ruling now allows the recall process to proceed, affirming the right of the constituents to initiate such a process in accordance with the law. The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further mentioning.
Kogi Federal High Court Reverses Ruling, Allows INEC To Proceed With Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Recall
