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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently suspended, has submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to have Senator Nedamwen Bernard Imasuen disbarred from the Nigerian Bar.
This petition is based on claims of professional misconduct, alleging that Senator Imasuen was previously disbarred from the New York Bar due to fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and non-compliance with disciplinary authorities.
The petition notes that Senator Imasuen was permanently disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, on May 10, 2010, following a complaint from a client, Daphne Slyfield, who accused him of misappropriating legal fees. The court found him guilty of several breaches of professional conduct, resulting in the revocation of his legal license in the United States.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that, despite his disbarment, Senator Imasuen moved to Nigeria and presented himself as a legal practitioner while entering the political sphere. He eventually secured election as the Senator for the Edo South Senatorial District. He was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, a position requiring utmost integrity.
The petition further alleges that Senator Imasuen failed to disclose his disbarment on his FORM EC-9 – the Particulars of Personal Information submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before running for office.
This legal action follows Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate, which she claims was orchestrated by Senator Imasuen in violation of a court order.
On March 4, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwatu, issued an interim order prohibiting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from continuing an investigation into her concerning alleged misconduct during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025.
Despite being notified of the court order on March 5, 2025, Senator Imasuen and his committee proceeded with the investigation, resulting in her suspension on March 6, 2025.
In her petition, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described Senator Imasuen’s actions as contemptuous towards the court, referencing Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (2023), which requires lawyers to treat the court with respect, dignity, and honour.
She also accused him of procedural bias, claiming that he dismissed her sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio based on procedural grounds while actively pushing for disciplinary action against her.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that Senator Imasuen’s disregard for a standing court order and unethical behaviour violates Rule 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (2023), which requires lawyers to uphold the rule of law and maintain high professional standards.
She asserted that under Rule 74(1) of the RPC, 2023, Senator Imasuen’s actions represent professional misconduct that justifies his removal from the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
