Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently under suspension, has formally filed a petition before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, seeking the disbarment of Senator Nedamwen Bernards Imasuen from the Nigerian Bar.
The petition, grounded on allegations of professional misconduct, claims that Senator Imasuen was previously disbarred from the New York Bar for fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities.
According to the petition, Senator Imasuen was permanently disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, on May 10, 2010, following a complaint by Daphne Slyfield, a client who accused him of misappropriating legal fees.
The court found him guilty of multiple breaches of professional conduct, leading to the revocation of his legal license in the United States.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that, despite his disbarment, Senator Imasuen relocated to Nigeria and continued presenting himself as a legal practitioner while venturing into politics.
He was eventually elected as the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District and appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, a role requiring unimpeachable integrity.
The petition further stated that Senator Imasuen failed to disclose his disbarment in his FORM EC-9 – Particulars of Personal Information submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before contesting for public office.
The legal action comes in the wake of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate, which she claims was orchestrated by Senator Imasuen in defiance of a court order.
On March 4, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwatu, issued an interim order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with an investigation against her regarding alleged misconduct during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025.
Despite being served the court order on March 5, 2025, Senator Imasuen and his committee proceeded with the investigation, leading to her suspension on March 6, 2025.
In her petition, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described Senator Imasuen’s actions as contempt of court, citing Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (2023), which mandates that lawyers must always treat the court with respect, dignity, and honour.
She further accused him of procedural bias, stating that he dismissed her petition alleging sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on procedural grounds, while actively pursuing disciplinary action against her.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that Senator Imasuen’s defiance of a subsisting court order and his unethical conduct violate Rule 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (2023), which mandates lawyers to uphold the rule of law and maintain high professional standards.
She contended that under Rule 74(1) of the RPC, 2023, Senator Imasuen’s actions constitute professional misconduct, warranting his removal from the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
As the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee commences its review of the petition, the case is expected to spark significant legal and political debate, particularly regarding the ethical obligations of public officials who are also members of the legal profession.