Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Ethics, who recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was permanently disbarred in New York in 2010 over multimillion-dollar fraud and gross misconduct.
A report reveals that Imasuen was disbarred for life in New York after swindling his client and absconding with representation fees without appearing in court.
According to Nigerian Online News, a court officer confirmed that Mr. Imasuen was permanently disbarred after collecting money from a client and failing to represent her. He also refused to comply with the disciplinary panel’s investigation into his misconduct.
Daphne Shyfield hired Mr. Imasuen in 2009, paying him tens of millions of dollars for legal fees. Instead of representing Ms. Shyfield, Mr. Imasuen absconded with the money, triggering numerous petitions due to his violation of New York bar codes and rules.
Despite being served with multiple petitions in the U.S., Mr. Imasuen failed to respond or request an extension. The Edo South senator fled to Nigeria with Ms. Shyfield’s funds to evade disciplinary actions from the Grievance Committee, responsible for ruling on jurists’ infractions.
After several failed attempts to obtain a response, the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts terminated Mr. Imasuen’s license to practice law in New York.
“Neda B. Imasuen, admitted as Neda Bernards Imasuen, is disbarred, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law,” reads a decision of the Grievance Committee on May 10, 2010.
“Neda Bernards Imasuen is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk, or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission, or other public authority,” reads a notice of his disbarment.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Imasuen, 66, rode the Labour Party wave to win the Edo South senatorial poll in 2023 and became the chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
The fact that a man with a 15-year history of disregarding petitions now heads the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions raises questions about the integrity of the nation’s leadership.
Last Wednesday, Imasuen quickly dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing procedural issues. He later accepted it on Friday after the female lawmaker resubmitted it with her constituent’s member’s signature.
Imasuen did not immediately comment on his New York disbarment.
His disbarment is typical of many Nigerian politicians who commit crimes abroad and flee to Nigeria with fraud proceeds to contest elections.
Former speaker and Tinubu chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, also had his law license terminated by the State Bar of Georgia in the U.S. over corruption and ethical lapses, admitting to stealing $25,000 from his client.
Imasuen’s disbarment by the New York Supreme Court adds another name to the growing list of individuals with tainted pasts occupying high-ranking government positions in Nigeria.
