CSOS Requesting LPDC, claim sanctions against Senate President Akpabio, Senator Imasuen over Natasha's suspension

The organizations have called on the NBA, LPDC and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to investigate the allegations to ensure that justice is presented. A coalition of civil society organizations expressed concern about the allegations of misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Neda Imasuen, as well as claims of intimidation against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Ouduaghan after accusing his Akpabio of sexual harassment. The statement, obtained by Saharan Porters, was signed by the Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, own Nigeria, advocates for promoting digital rights and civil interactions initiative, tap initiative, proponents of global rights for sustainable justice and the Open Society on Justice Reform. “We, the undersigned organizations, raise serious concerns about the allegations of misconduct against the Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, president of the Nigerian Senate, and Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics,” the organizations said. “These allegations, formally submitted in a petition to the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioners (LPDC), strike at the core of Nigeria’s legal profession, the rule of law and democratic integrity.” The organizations have called on the NBA, LPDC and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to investigate the allegations to ensure that justice is presented. “We call on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the chief justice of Nigeria, the LPDC and all relevant authorities to immediately investigate these serious demands and ensure that justice is presented.” The statement emphasized that the Senator Akpabio and Senator Imasuen, both legal practitioners, are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. “Both Senator Akpabio and Senator imasuen are legal practitioners who are properly called to the Nigerian bar and are expected to meet the highest ethical standards. The rules of professional behavior for legal practitioners (RPC) 2023, especially Rule 1, mandate advocates to maintain the rule of law, foster justice and the maintenance of high professional behavior. However, the organizations noted that both the recent actions of the senators violate these core principles. The organizations continued to list the allegations against Senator Akpabio. Some of the allegations include: “In February 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Outuaghan filed a petition to the Senate claiming sexual harassment by senator Akpabio. Rather than setting aside for a fair investigation, he refused to withdraw himself, contradictory to the fundamental legal principles.” It was noted that this was not the first time Senator Akpabio 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 practice the transparent investigations raised serious ethical concerns.” His role in the orchestra of the Senator Akpoti-Up-Up-Uduaghan, despite judicial conditions, is an equal on suspension. The Constitutional Democracy of Nigeria, “The statement reads. Senator Imasuen was also regarded as unfit for the role of the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics as a result of its history of disconnection in New York, USA.” In May 2010, Senator Imasuen was permanently profaned in New York, USA, after being convicted of fraud and professional. Reports indicate that he took considerable fees from a client, failed to deliver legal representation, and withdrew with the funds, which led to his dissolution by the Grievance Committee for the second, eleventh and thirteenth judicial districts, “the organizations said.” Despite this serious ethical break, he now has the Senate Committee for Ethics, a position for the position he is grown up. “Unconstitutional suspension of Senator Akpoti-Outuaghan further emphasizes its disregard for ethical management.” The group warned that the failure to hold these senators liable, damaged public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions and damaged the country’s global reputation. ” Developments highlighted, “to further damage the democratic credentials of Nigeria.” We demand urgent intervention from all relevant stakeholders to restore the credibility of the legal profession and management structures. The NBA, LPDC and the National Assembly must now act to ensure justice and maintain the rule of law, “they said. They demanded that the NBA” investigate these offenses and both refer to the LPDC for disciplinary action, including possible disconnection. “They further requested the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to conduct a thorough investigation,” suitable for the necessary sancer. ” Nigeriese owerhede is gevra om die hantering van senator Akpoti-uduaghan se petisie en skorsing te hersien, wat die voldoening aan grondwetlike beginsels en geregtelike presedente verseker. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029vafclvth5jm6ssssp7m2y