Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to seek the disbarment of Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, over alleged misconduct.

In a petition dated 20 March and submitted to the LPDC on 24 March, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Imasuen of fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and contempt of court orders.

She cited a ruling by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, which disbarred Imasuen in 2010 for professional misconduct, including failing to render legal services after collecting legal fees. Supporting her claims, she submitted a copy of the Justia New York Case Law 2010 and pledged to provide additional evidence during the hearing.

The senator further alleged that Imasuen misrepresented his professional status upon returning to Nigeria and failed to disclose his disbarment in documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when contesting for office.

Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Imasuen of violating a Federal High Court order by proceeding with an inquiry against her despite a judicial restraint. She submitted video evidence showing Imasuen allegedly disregarding the court order during a Senate Ethics Committee session.

“The committee, under Senator Imasuen’s leadership, acknowledged the court order but chose to ignore it, claiming legislative autonomy,” she stated. “Such blatant defiance constitutes contempt of court and violates the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.”

She also linked her six-month suspension from the Senate to Imasuen’s alleged bias, stating that he dismissed her petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on procedural grounds while unfairly subjecting her to disciplinary measures.

“The suspension stripped me of my salary, allowances, security aides, and Senate access despite an interim court order restraining the Senate from acting against me,” she asserted.

Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the LPDC to impose appropriate sanctions on Imasuen, insisting that his history of professional misconduct disqualifies him from chairing the Senate Ethics Committee.