Court vacates order restraining INEC from receiving petition to recall Natasha Akpoti

The federal high court in Lokoja, Kogi state, has set aside an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting petitions to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

BACKGROUND

On Thursday, the court granted an ex-parte application seeking to stop the electoral umpire from acting on the recall process initiated by constituents of Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.

The application was filed by Anebe Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi central. They were represented by Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa SAN & Co.

The court prohibited INEC and its representatives from accepting or acting on petitions linked to the recall, which the applicants claimed contain fictitious signatures.

The order also barred the electoral commission from conducting a referendum on the matter until the substantive case is resolved.

‘CIVIC RIGHTS’

However, on Friday, the court vacated the order, saying it is the civic right of the constituents to recall any lawmaker.

The court said the constituents can exercise their right to recall orderly and peacefully.

The case has been adjourned to May 6, for further hearing.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following a seating arrangement altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She had earlier accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.