The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its staff, or agents from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing fake signatures from alleged members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District. This order also halts INEC from conducting any referendum related to such a petition aimed at initiating the recall process for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The ruling came after an urgent ex parte application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima on behalf of himself and four other plaintiffs, all registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District. The application, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., from West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., and was granted on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Justice Isa H. Dashen, presiding over the case (Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025), stated that the court granted an injunction to prevent INEC and its agents from proceeding with any actions on a petition that includes fraudulent signatures. He also ruled that INEC is restrained from initiating a referendum based on such a petition, pending the resolution of the matter. The court has set May 6, 2025, as the return date for the report of service and further proceedings.
This ruling follows growing concerns over the planned recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has been allegedly backed by a close associate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The recall petition surfaced amid accusations of sexual harassment made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio earlier this year.
