Recall: Natasha moves to stop INEC, petitions IGP over alleged massive forgery

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, over alleged forgery linked to an ongoing recall process.

Sources indicate that the petitions were submitted to the police authorities on Friday.

The controversy stems from a petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by a group of constituents led by Charity Ijese, who claimed to have gathered over 250,000 signatures in favor of recalling the senator. The recall effort follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension from the Senate on March 6 over allegations of misconduct.

Tensions escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

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INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, acknowledged receiving the recall petition but initially noted it lacked key contact details of the petitioners. However, the electoral body later confirmed that the missing information had been provided.

The recall petition raised eyebrows when videos surfaced online appearing to show politicians in Kogi State signing the document. Doubts further intensified when observers questioned how over 250,000 signatures could have been collected in just 10 days, particularly given that only 120,000 voters participated in the last senatorial election in the district.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, confirmed that the senator had petitioned law enforcement agencies over the alleged forgery of signatures used in the recall process. He added that INEC would also receive a copy of the petition.

Giwa stated, “Firstly, we are aware that those signatures were forged, and it is the act of APC members in Kogi State, who are desperate to remove her. Secondly, we are prosecuting the case in court. We have written our petition regarding the forgery, and we are submitting it to the Inspector General of Police, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, and INEC. Before 1pm today (Friday), they would have received it.”

According to him, the police must handle the case as forgery is a criminal matter.

“INEC does not have the materials to examine a case of forgery. What they are expected to do is compare whether the signatures correspond with the ones signed by the owners. But we are alleging that it is a case of forgery, and only the police can handle cases of forgery. Let the petitioners present the signatures, and let the police subject them to forensic tests for us to confirm that they were not forged,” he added.

Following the petition, INEC is expected to conduct a verification process at polling units across the constituency. However, Giwa emphasized that the forgery allegations must be resolved before any further steps in the recall process.

“The case is in court, and INEC is aware. Secondly, we are now dealing with allegations of fraud. Some people submitted certain signatures, and others claim they were forged, which is a criminal matter. So, as an institution, I believe INEC would need to submit the signatures to the police to confirm whether or not there is forgery. And this should come before the verification exercise,” he added.

(PUNCH)