Date: March 21, 2025
In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with any recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. This order comes amidst allegations of a clandestine plot involving fabricated signatures aimed at unseating the senator.
Court’s Injunction Details
Presiding over the case, Justice Isa H. Dashen granted the interim injunction in response to a motion ex parte dated March 19, 2025, and filed on March 20, 2025. The applicants—Anebe Jacob Ogirima, John Adebisi, Musa Siyaka Adeiza, Hon. Ahmed Usman, and Maleek Yahaya, all constituents of Kogi Central—sought the court’s intervention to prevent INEC from acting on petitions they claimed contained fictitious signatures.
The court’s order explicitly restrains INEC, its staff, agents, and assigns from:
- Receiving or accepting any petitions purportedly submitted by members of Kogi Central Senatorial District containing fabricated signatures and names.
- Conducting any referendum based on such petitions aimed at initiating a recall process against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The injunction remains effective pending the determination of the motion on notice. The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
Allegations of a Fabricated Recall Effort
Prior to the court’s intervention, the Action Collective, a Kogi Central-based pressure group, raised alarms over an alleged scheme to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan using fraudulent means. The group claimed that certain political figures, including a former governor of Kogi State, were orchestrating a plan to compile fictitious signatures to initiate the recall process.
Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the coordinator of Action Collective, alleged that:
- The plot involves recruiting individuals from various local government areas in Kogi State, incentivizing them financially to append false signatures on recall petitions.
- Some officials within INEC have reportedly been compromised to facilitate the recall process.
- A substantial budget, allegedly over two million dollars, has been earmarked for this operation.
The group emphasized that this scheme aims to silence Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, especially following her six-month suspension from the Senate over allegations of misconduct and her accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension and Allegations
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Nigerian Senate. The suspension was imposed following her allegations of sexual harassment and frustration of her legislative efforts by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This suspension has been a subject of controversy, with various groups and individuals expressing divergent views on the matter.
Public and Political Reactions
The court’s injunction has elicited varied reactions:
- Civil Society Organizations have lauded the court’s decision, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic principles and prevent the manipulation of recall processes through fraudulent means.
- Political Analysts suggest that the alleged plot and subsequent court intervention highlight the deep-seated political intrigues in Kogi State and the broader Nigerian political landscape.
- Constituents of Kogi Central have expressed mixed feelings, with some supporting the senator and others advocating for her recall, citing various reasons.
INEC’s Position and Next Steps
As of now, INEC has not released an official statement regarding the court’s injunction. However, the commission is legally bound to comply with the court’s order pending the resolution of the case. The upcoming court session on May 6, 2025, will provide further clarity on the matter.
Conclusion
The Federal High Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring that any attempt to recall elected officials adheres strictly to legal and ethical standards. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders and observers alike await further developments, hoping for a resolution that upholds the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
