Nigerian Senator Neda Imasuen has come under intense public scrutiny following revelations that he was disbarred from practicing law in the United States due to professional misconduct. Despite multiple reports and media inquiries, the senator has remained silent on the scandal.
Why Was Neda Imasuen Disbarred in the US?
According to documents obtained by our correspondent, Neda Imasuen was disbarred in 2010 by the Supreme Court of New York after failing to represent an American client, Daphne Slyfield, despite being paid for legal services.
The court’s Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts handled the matter, and a special referee, George Friedman, was assigned to review the allegations.
Mr. Imasuen was served with a petition in July 2009 and was required to respond within 20 days. However, he failed to do so, nor did he request an extension. As a result, the court ruled that the charges against him were established by default, leading to his disbarment.
Shortly after, Imasuen returned to Nigeria, where he pursued a career in politics.
Political Career: From US Law License Scandal to Nigerian Senate
After relocating to Nigeria, Imasuen worked as a consultant for the European Union’s State Reforming Institutional Programme and later entered politics. In 2023, he was elected as a senator representing Edo South District under the Labour Party, an opposition party in Nigeria.
Ironically, he currently serves as the Chairperson of the Senate Ethics Committee, which is responsible for maintaining legislative integrity.
Impact on His Role in the Senate
The scandal surrounding Imasuen’s disbarment has raised ethical questions, particularly regarding his involvement in the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, and a report from Imasuen’s ethics committee led to her suspension for six months.
Critics argue that a senator with a record of professional misconduct should not be leading the chamber’s ethics and discipline committee.
Neda Imasuen’s Silence Amid Media Pressure
Since the news of his disbarment resurfaced, the senator has refused to respond to media inquiries. Multiple attempts to contact him via phone calls, text messages, and emails have gone unanswered.
His silence has further fueled public speculation, with many Nigerians questioning whether he still holds a valid law license or if he ever sought reinstatement after his disbarment.
What Happens Next for the Nigerian Senator?
According to legal experts, disbarred attorneys in the US may apply for reinstatement after seven years. However, it remains unclear whether Imasuen has taken any steps toward reinstating his law license.
Meanwhile, opposition figures and transparency advocates are calling for a thorough investigation into his past legal record and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s Senate.
As pressure mounts, political analysts believe Imasuen may be forced to break his silence and address the scandal that threatens his credibility.
What you should know.
The revelation of Senator Neda Imasuen’s disbarment in the US has sparked widespread debate over ethics, accountability, and transparency in Nigeria’s political system. With no official response from the senator, questions remain about his professional integrity and his continued role in the Senate.
Will he finally address the allegations, or will this controversy further damage his political career?
Only time will tell.
