Justice John Tsoho of Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday temporarily restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, who represents Kogi West.

He gave the order after listening to arguments in an exparte motion filed by Senator Melaye’s lawyer, Mr Mike Ozekhome, seeking to stop the recall on the grounds that signatories to the recall were fake.

The judge ordered the stay of proceedings in the recall and urged the parties involved to abide by the status quo and subsequently adjourned the matter to September 29, 2017, for further hearing.

INEC had on Monday released the timetable for the recall, indicating that it would give a notice of verification (of signatories) on July 10, 2017, with the process expected to end on August 19.

•Additional reports by Channels TV.