April 02, (THEWILL) – A civil society group, Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, has called on Nigerians to demand accountability from their elected representatives and reject impunity in governance.
Raising concerns over allegations of misconduct levelled against Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen, the group urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to investigate their conduct in the circumstances surrounding the six-month suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central.
THEWILL recalls that Imasuen, the Edo South Senator, chaired the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, which found Natasha guilty of misconduct and violation of Senate rules on 20th February. He had also declared as “dead on arrival”, Natasha’s petition submitted to the committee, which alleged sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha, in a petition filed before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), alleged that the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, had on May 10, 2010, indicted and disbarred Senator Imasuen “for fraud, misappropriation of client’s funds and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities.” She highlighted that Imasuen was disbarred by the US court following a complaint by Daphne Slyfield, a client, who paid substantial legal fees to him but was abandoned without legal recourse.
Noting that both Senators Akpabio and Imasuen are legal practitioners duly called to the Nigerian Bar, the group accused the lawmakers of violating legal ethical standards expected of lawyers.
Particularly, the group accused Akpabio of presiding over matters where he is an accused rather than stepping down from his position as Senate President, to allow for an independent investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment.
It further alleged that Senator Imasuen lacked the integrity to chair the Senate Committee that found Natasha guilty.
A statement signed by the group reads: “We, the undersigned organisations, raise serious concerns over the allegations of misconduct levelled against Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate and Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics.
These allegations, formally submitted in a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), strike at the core of Nigeria’s legal profession, the rule of law, and democratic integrity.
“We call on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the LPDC, and all relevant authorities to immediately investigate these serious claims and ensure that justice is served.
“Both Senator Akpabio and Senator Imasuen are legal practitioners duly called to the Nigerian Bar and are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards. The Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) 2023, particularly Rule 1, mandates lawyers to uphold the rule of law, foster justice and maintain high professional conduct. Their recent actions, however, violate these core principles.
“In February 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti‐Uduaghan submitted a petition to the Senate alleging sexual harassment by Senator Akpabio. Rather than stepping aside for a fair investigation, he has refused to recuse himself, contradicting fundamental legal principles.
“This is not the first time Senator Akpabio has faced such allegations. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also accused him of sexual harassment. His refusal to engage in transparent investigations raises serious ethical concerns.
“His role in orchestrating the suspension of Senator Akpoti‐Uduaghan for six months, despite judicial precedents nullifying similar legislative suspensions, is a clear abuse of power and undermines Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“In May 2010, Senator Imasuen was permanently disbarred in New York, USA, after being found guilty of fraud and professional misconduct. Reports indicate he took substantial fees from a client, failed to provide legal representation, and absconded with the funds, leading to his disbarment by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts. Despite this serious ethical breach, he now chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, a position he is grossly unfit to hold.
“His recommendation for the unconstitutional suspension of Senator Akpoti‐Uduaghan further highlights his disregard for ethical governance.
“The failure to hold these senators accountable erodes public trust in Nigeria’s institutions and damages the nation’s global reputation. Their actions reflect a broader culture of impunity, where those meant to uphold justice instead subvert it for personal and political gains.
“International media, including The Economist, have already highlighted these troubling developments, further tarnishing Nigeria’s democratic credentials. Nigeria’s democracy cannot be hijacked by individuals who flout their professional and constitutional obligations. We demand urgent intervention from all relevant stakeholders to restore credibility to the legal profession and governance structures. The NBA, LPDC, and the National Assembly must act now to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
“We call on all relevant authorities to act decisively in addressing these allegations: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA): The NBA must investigate these violations and refer both senators to the LPDC for disciplinary action, including possible disbarment; Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC): A thorough, independent investigation must be conducted, ensuring appropriate sanctions where necessary; National Assembly: The Senate must revisit the handling of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition and suspension, ensuring compliance with constitutional principles and judicial precedents; and Nigerian Citizens: We urge all Nigerians to demand accountability from their elected representatives and reject impunity in governance.”
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