Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has filed a petition to disbar Senator Nedamwem Imasuen, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Dockaysworld gathered that she is asking the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to remove his name from the roll of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
In her petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, had found Imasuen guilty of fraud, misusing client funds, and ignoring disciplinary authorities.
As a result, he was disbarred in the United States on May 10, 2010.
To support her claim, she submitted a copy of the Justia New York Case Law 2010 to the LPDC and promised to provide more evidence during the case hearing.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Imasuen’s disbarment was based on a complaint by a client named Daphne Slyfield.
She alleged that after receiving significant legal fees, Imasuen abandoned the client without providing legal assistance.
The US court found him guilty of breaking several professional rules and permanently revoked his legal license.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further claimed that after his disbarment, Imasuen returned to Nigeria and continued to present himself as a lawyer.
He eventually entered politics and became the senator representing Edo South Senatorial District.
She argued that despite his disbarment for unethical behavior, Imasuen did not disclose this information when he filed his personal records with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while running for office.
She stated that his position as the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee requires someone with unquestionable integrity.
The petition also accused Imasuen of defying a Federal High Court order.
On March 4, the court issued an interim order preventing his committee from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Despite being aware of this order, Imasuen allegedly disregarded it and led the committee to suspend her from the Senate for six months.
More details are expected to follow.
