A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), urging immediate sanctions against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Neda Imasuen following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The CSOs allege misconduct and abuse of power, emphasizing the need for accountability within Nigeria’s legislative framework.
According to The Guardian, the petition targets Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. The allegations stem from the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The CSOs accuse Senator Akpabio of refusing to recuse himself from proceedings related to the sexual harassment allegations, thereby compromising the integrity of the investigation. They also highlight Senator Imasuen’s past disbarment in New York for fraud and professional misconduct, questioning his suitability to chair the Senate Ethics Committee.
The petition follows events in February 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted her allegations against Akpabio, leading to her subsequent suspension by the Senate.
The developments are unfolding within Nigeria’s legislative chambers, drawing national attention to the conduct of its members and the mechanisms for accountability.
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The CSOs argue that the actions of Akpabio and Imasuen undermine the rule of law and democratic integrity. They contend that holding these senators accountable is essential to restore public trust and uphold ethical standards within Nigeria’s governance structures
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria have been called upon to investigate the claims. As of now, there has been no official response from these bodies regarding the petition.