She submitted a copy of the Justia New York Case Law 2010, titled “Matter of Imasuen,” as evidence and vowed to provide further official records during the trial
By Titilope Adako
Suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a petition before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to disbar the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Nedamwem Imasuen, over an alleged fraud conviction in the United States.
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, had on May 10, 2010, indicted and disbarred Imasuen for fraud, misappropriation of client funds, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities.
She submitted a copy of the Justia New York Case Law 2010, titled “Matter of Imasuen,” as evidence and vowed to provide further official records during the trial.
According to her, Imasuen was disbarred following a complaint by one Daphne Slyfield, a client who had paid substantial legal fees but was abandoned.
She claimed the US court found him guilty of violating multiple professional rules, leading to the permanent revocation of his legal licence.
She further alleged that after his disbarment, Imasuen relocated to Nigeria, continued presenting himself as a lawyer, and eventually became a senator representing Edo South.
Despite this history, she said, he was appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, a position requiring unquestionable integrity.
Akpoti-Uduaghan accused him of failing to disclose his disbarment while submitting his Form EC9 to INEC.
She also claimed that he acted in contempt of court by disregarding a Federal High Court order on March 4, which restrained his committee from proceeding with disciplinary action against her, leading to her six-month suspension.
“This petition is necessary to protect the integrity of the legal profession and governance.
“The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, on 10th May 2010, indicted and disbarred him from practising law in the US due to fraud, misappropriation of clients’ funds, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities.
“The legal complaint was filed by one Daphne Slyfield, a former client of Senator Imasuen, who had paid substantial legal fees but was abandoned. The court ruled that he had violated multiple professional conduct rules, leading to his permanent disbarment.
“The fact that he was disbarred in the US and yet has been practising in Nigeria and now holds a position as chairman of a Senate Ethics Committee is a slap on the integrity of governance and the legal profession.
“He never disclosed this criminal record in his Form EC9 submission to INEC, which is a fundamental breach of the electoral process.
“I will provide additional official records during the trial to ensure that justice is served.”
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