Court Bars INEC from Accepting Natasha’s Recall Petition
Court Stops INEC from Processing Alleged Fake Petition to Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving or acting on a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing concerns over alleged fictitious signatures.
Presiding over the case (FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025), Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled that INEC and its agents must refrain from processing or conducting a referendum based on the petition until further notice. The decision followed an ex parte application filed by registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District, represented by their counsel, Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
The court emphasized that the petition, which allegedly contained forged signatures, could not be used to trigger the recall process. The injunction remains in effect until May 6, 2025, when the case will be revisited.
The ruling comes just days after viral videos showed constituents signing a recall petition, an effort allegedly backed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political opponents. The move also follows her recent public accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Court Bars INEC from Accepting Natasha’s Recall Petition