- Safiu Kehinde
Civil society organizations,under the aegis of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), have filed a petition before the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Sen. Neda Imasuen, over the suspension of Kogi lawmaker, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This was announced in a post on the official X handle on Wednesday.
EiE held that Akpabio and Imasuen, who are both legal practitioners, had violated the legal and ethical standards during the course of Natasha’s suspension.
Recall that Natasha had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her while calling out Imasuen over the recommendation of her suspension following the submission of her sexual harrasment petition before the Senate.
She held that Imasuen lacked the jurisdiction to hold the role of the Senate Committee Chairman as he was allegedly barred from legal practice in the United States over fraud.
As contained in the petition attached to the X post, EiE also highlighted the allegations against Akpabio and Imasuen.
“We, the undersigned organisations, raise serious concerns over the allegations of misconduct leveled 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.” EiE.
The accountability group warned that failure to hold the lawmakers accountable will erode public trust in Nigeria’s institutions and damage the nation’s global reputation.
They called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refer the two lawmakers to the LPDC for disciplinary action while charging the committee to conduct thorough investigation and ensure proper sanction.
The group also called on the National Assembly to revisit the handling of Natasha’s petition and suspension.
“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.” The petition read.