The purported recall process of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken a dramatic turn as the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has granted an interim injunction against it.
Persecondnews reports that the Court granted interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), its staff, or agents from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of the Kogi Central Senatorial.
The order also prohibits the INEC from conducting any referendum based on such a petition to initiate the recall process from the Senate.
The order followed an ex parte application for an interim injunction, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency and other court processes sworn to by Mr. Anebe Jacob Ogirima on behalf of himself and four other plaintiffs, all of whom are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The ex-parte application, filed by Mr. Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., was granted by the court on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
In his ruling, Justice Isa H. Dashen, in suit no. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, 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 subsequently ordered 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.”
Persecondnews recalls that earlier this week, concerns were raised regarding the planned recall process, which was allegedly being sponsored by a close ally of the Senate leadership.
Meanwhile, a group known as the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders announced on Thursday that they are leading the charge in the recall process of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group said their move is based on the negative image that Natasha’s dispute with Akpabio has cast on the constituency.
The group’s spokesperson, Mr. Jafar Aliu Kamaludeen said: “We, the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders, have been observing the ongoing developments involving our senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Nigerian Senate, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“A review of events leading to her suspension for gross misconduct and unruly behavior has raised concerns about whether she is truly protecting the interests of the people of Kogi Central.”
The group stressed that the National Assembly is a respected institution with established rules in place to safeguard its integrity.
They supported the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, following the recommendation of the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee, arguing that she flouted the chamber’s regulations.
Persecondnews had reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Kogi-born senator, has been embroiled in a heated battle with Akpabio, sparked by a dispute over her seat allocation in the Senate chamber, which has since escalated into allegations of sexual harassment and defamation.
The whole issue led the Senate to suspend her for six months.
During this period, she will not receive any pay and should not be seen near the National Assembly.
The Senator took her accusations against Akpabio to the international stage by addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in New York on March 11, where she expressed concerns about her six-month suspension from the Senate and the sexual harassment allegations she made against Akpabio.
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