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 counsellor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission, or other public authority
The chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, who suggested that Natasha Akpoti be suspended, Neda Imasuen, has had his bar licence revoked in New York, USA, on charges of massive misconduct and fraud involving several million dollars.
Imasuen was disbarred for life in New York, according to a document obtained by Peoples Gazette. He bilked his client out of representation fees and failed to appear in court on her behalf.
Imasuen was permanently disbarred for taking money from a client without providing her with legal representation. Additionally, he was uncooperative when the disciplinary tribunal asked him to provide information about his wrongdoing, Gazette stated.
Daphne Shyfield paid Imasuen tens of millions of dollars for his legal services in 2009, when she retained him to represent her in a dispute.
Imasuen did not show up to represent Ms. Shyfield; rather, he fled with the money, which resulted in a plethora of petitions being submitted.
This was due to the fact that his acts were in violation of the New York bar code and guidelines before they were implemented.
Imasuen did not react to any of the petitions that were served to him in the United States, and he did not ask for an extension of time to file a response.
This is despite the fact that he was sent petitions on many occasions. In order to avoid disciplinary actions by the Grievance Committee, which is the organisation responsible for giving rulings for the violations of jurists, Imasuen was forced to flee to Nigeria with the funds belonging to Ms. Shyfield.
Imasuen’s licence to practise law in the state of New York was revoked by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh and Thirteenth Judicial Districts after a number of unsuccessful attempts to obtain a response to petition files.
Notice of his disbarment reads, “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 counsellor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission, or other public authority.”
Imasuen did not immediately respond to comments regarding his disbarment in the state of New York. His disbarment is typical of the situation that many Nigerian politicians find themselves in when they commit crimes on foreign land and then sneak back to Nigeria with the earnings of their fraud, which they then use to run for office.
IREPORT247NEW reported that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was placed on administrative leave for a period of six months on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
After she made charges of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, this decision was made due to those allegations.
IREPORT247NEW also recall that Senator Neda Imasuen, who was the chairman of the Committee and who delivered the report of the panel to the plenary, stated that Natasha was responsible for all of the claims that were made against her because she did not present herself to the legislative Committee for the purpose of providing an evaluation of her behaviour.
The recommendations reads, “That the Senate should suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her violation of the Senate Standing Rules 2023 as amended, for bringing the Presiding Officer and the Senate in general to public disgrace.
“For the Senate to consider lifting the suspension or to reduce the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration by the Senate.
“That the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan should take effect from 6th March 2025 from legislative activities forthwith.
“That her office should be locked up for the duration of her suspension and she hands over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“That for the duration of her suspension, she cannot come close or be seen within the vicinity of the National Assembly, including staff.
“That her salaries and allowance, including those of her legislative aides, should be suspended, and withdrawal of all security details for the duration of her suspension.”