Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, seeking the disbarment of Senator Nedamwen Bernards Imasuen from the Nigerian Bar over allegations of professional misconduct. The petition alleges that Senator Imasuen was permanently disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, on May 10, 2010, due to fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities. Despite this, he allegedly relocated to Nigeria, continued presenting himself as a legal practitioner, and ventured into politics.
Now serving as the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Imasuen is accused of failing to disclose his disbarment in his FORM EC-9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended from the Senate, claims her suspension was orchestrated by Imasuen in defiance of a court order. The Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an interim order on March 4, 2025, restraining the Senate Committee from proceeding with an investigation against her, yet the committee, led by Imasuen, allegedly ignored the order, leading to her suspension on March 6, 2025.
In her petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan describes Imasuen’s actions as contempt of court, citing Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (2023), which requires lawyers to uphold the dignity of the court. She also accuses him of procedural bias, arguing that he dismissed her petition alleging sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio while actively pursuing disciplinary action against her.
She contends that under Rule 74(1) of the RPC (2023), Imasuen’s actions amount to professional misconduct, justifying his removal from the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. As the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee reviews the petition, the case is expected to spark significant debate regarding the ethical responsibilities of public officials within the legal profession.
Source : https://saharareporters.com/
