ABUJA, Nigeria – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently under suspension from the Nigerian Senate, has filed a formal petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, seeking the disbarment of Senator Nedamwen Bernards Imasuen. The petition alleges professional misconduct, citing Senator Imasuen’s prior disbarment from the New York Bar.
The petition asserts that Senator Imasuen was permanently disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, on May 10, 2010, for fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and failure to respond to disciplinary actions. This followed a complaint by client Daphne Slyfield, who accused him of misappropriating legal fees.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that despite this disbarment, Senator Imasuen returned to Nigeria, continued to present himself as a legal practitioner, and entered politics. He was subsequently elected Senator for Edo South Senatorial District and appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The petition further claims that Senator Imasuen failed to disclose his disbarment in his FORM EC-9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior to his election.
This legal action comes in the wake of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate, which she alleges was orchestrated by Senator Imasuen in defiance of a court order. On March 4, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics from investigating her. Despite being served this order, Senator Imasuen proceeded with the investigation, leading to her suspension on March 6, 2025.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition accuses Senator Imasuen of contempt of court and procedural bias. She cites his dismissal of her sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while actively pursuing disciplinary action against her. She argues that Senator Imasuen’s actions violate the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (2023), specifically Rule 1 (upholding the rule of law) and Rule 31 (treating the court with respect).
She contends that under Rule 74(1) of the RPC, 2023, Senator Imasuen’s conduct constitutes professional misconduct, warranting his removal from the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is now set to review the petition, sparking significant legal and political debate regarding the ethical obligations of public officials who are also legal practitioners.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Petitions for Disbarment of Senator Imasuen Over Alleged Professional Misconduct
