Senator Imasuen’s alleged disbarment in New York sparks calls for resignation from ethics committee

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly called for the immediate resignation or suspension of Senator Neda Imasuen from his position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

This follows reports alleging that the senator was disbarred from practicing law in New York over a multimillion-dollar fraud case.

According to a recent media publication, Senator Imasuen, who currently represents Edo South, was permanently stripped of his bar license in New York due to allegations of gross misconduct.

The report claims that he defrauded his client, Daphne Shyfield, by collecting legal fees worth millions of dollars but failing to appear in court to represent her. Furthermore, the senator reportedly ignored multiple petitions served to him regarding his misconduct and later fled to Nigeria to evade disciplinary action.

HURIWA has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch an investigation into the matter.

The civil rights group emphasized that if the allegations against Senator Imasuen are verified, his continued chairmanship of the Ethics Committee would be a severe ethical contradiction and a mockery of the Senate’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria owes Nigerians a clear explanation as to why a person with such an alleged tainted professional history was entrusted with a sensitive position that requires the highest ethical standards,” said HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.

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He further stated, “If this damaging accusation of fraud against Senator Imasuen is credible, then there would be no logical or ethical justification for allowing him to head a committee responsible for upholding ethical standards and overseeing public petitions. Such an appointment contradicts the fundamental principles of natural justice, and the Senate President should offer a public apology for this oversight.”

The online report that raised the allegations stated that on May 10, 2010, the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts in New York permanently disbarred Imasuen.

The decision specifically ordered him to cease practicing law in any capacity, either as a principal, agent, clerk, or employee. The ruling also barred him from appearing as an attorney before any court or public authority.

Despite these allegations, Senator Imasuen leveraged the Labour Party’s momentum to win the Edo South senatorial seat in 2023.

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Shortly thereafter, he secured the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, a position that places him at the heart of Nigeria’s legislative oversight on integrity-related matters.

HURIWA has called on Nigerian lawyers practicing in New York to verify these allegations by officially obtaining a detailed report from the New York Bar Association.

Additionally, the association urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to relieve Imasuen of his role in the Ethics Committee until the ICPC completes its investigation or further clarification emerges through Freedom of Information requests.

“We demand transparency and accountability from our leaders,” Onwubiko asserted. This matter must be thoroughly investigated, and the findings should be made public for Nigerians to evaluate whether this serious allegation holds merit.”

HURIWA’s call for action underscores the broader concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative leadership, particularly in ensuring that public officeholders adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards.