Debarred Neda Imasuen As New York Lawyer And Akpabio Have Pushed Akpoti-Uduaghan To Report Them At IPU
The Oasis Reporters
March 12, 2025
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If the Senate’s Ethics And Privileges committee chairman, Neda Imasuen had had the foresight to know that throttling the Committee he leads into hurriedly suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without investigating her sexual harassment case and imposing very punitive and other illegal sanctions on her would lead to such a backlash as well as exposing the real personality that he shows which is opposed to the glowingly covered public relations write up on him that is visible on his website, perhaps he would have done things very differently.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was not given any fair hearing and even as she tried to say a word or two, her microphone was remotely switched off. The very person she was dragging to the ethics committee, Senate President Godswill Akpabio turned out to be the same man who announced her punitive suspension.
Out of the culture of impunity, he neither recused himself to face investigation, nor dealt fairly
as far as the issue was concerned.
Things have now taken an alarmingly wider turn.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan decided to show up at the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to state her case and the Senate is now on edge.
Watch:
And talking about infrastructure, a TikTok content creator in Benin City showed a video of what he claimed is the dilapidated road to what he said is Neda Imasuen’s house, which has not yet been verified by more witnesses as indeed the bad road leading to the house.
But suffice it to say, a lot more news outlets have dug into what they claim as Neda Imasuen’s life in New York.
Many online news outlets say he had problems with the FBI and was debarred from practicing law in the United States.
Senator Neda Imasuen’s website speaks glowingly about the distinguished career in public service that he has had, known also “for his unwavering commitment to the people of Edo South. With a background in law and governance, he has been a formidable advocate for justice, equity, and development. His journey from a humble beginning to a prominent political figure is a testament to his dedication and resilience.
The website continues by saying that the Senator is there to represent the interest of Edo South in the Senate with integrity, ensuring that all voices are heard, and driving policies that foster economic growth, education, healthcare and infrastructure development”.
One online news outlet, (not this one) claims that “Neda Bernards Imasuen, the senator representing Edo South since 2023, was the mastermind of a sprawling bank heist in the United States before fleeing to Nigeria to pursue a successful career in politics, quoting U.S. court filings that they reviewed.
As the head of the Nigerian Senate ethics committee, Mr Imasuen activated the disciplinary measure that led to the controversial suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator from Kogi, for six months. The suspension has been widely rebuked as unconstitutional by leading legal voices, including Chidi Odinkalu, Abdul Mahmud and Femi Falana.
Mr Imasuen, however, dismissed the criticism as unfounded, saying he acted dispassionately to protect the integrity of the Senate from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salacious charges of sexual exploitation against Senate President.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has already reported the incidence to the United Nations. Even a UK parliamentary group watched the proceedings live because by coincidence, they were there as the speedy trial was ongoing.
Influential StanbicIBTC founder, Atedo Peterside tweeted that
“The most disturbing aspect of the Nigerian Senate hullabaloo around @NatashaAkpoti is that the Senate Leadership must be aware that her suspension for 6 months is ultra vires and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care #IStandWithSenatorNatasha”.
Influential Nigerian Tribune Columnist, Suyi Ayodele also wrote that “the Nigerian senate last week found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagban guilty of “bringing the presiding officer and the entire senate to public opprobrium,”.
“The “presiding officer” she brought to “public opprobrium” was no other person than the big man who delivered the judgement, Godswill Akpabio. It was a first in how not to run a trial. The most clownish of circuses will bow for Akpabio and his senate for staging that abject drama.
Our ancestors had a deep sense of commitment to justice devoid of personal gains. They were people with a sense of self-worth and shame.”
From the look of things, the Neda Imasuen’s committee on ethics and privileges may have stirred the hornet’s nest and the whirlwind may blow no good to the upper legislative chamber. Perhaps they should have been fair in their dealings.
The whole world is now watching Nigeria. And this would be seen as embarrassing to the institution of the Senate.
So what will they do next?
Recall Akpoti Uduaghan with a smile and apology while restoring her privileges?
Ask Akpabio to recuse himself from his seat and stand at the sexual harassment case committee investigation and face and scrutiny?
Or throw the Mace aside and go physical with fisticuffs in the Senate?
Either way, impunity is now on trial in the Senate of Nigeria.
Greg Abolo
