Senator Neda Imasuen, a Nigerian-trained lawyer, has yet to address reports of his 2010 disbarment from practicing law in the United States, despite mounting media scrutiny. The disbarment reportedly stemmed from a petition filed by Daphne Slyfield, who accused him of professional misconduct for failing to represent her in a case despite being paid. Official records indicate that the New York Supreme Court’s Grievance Committee found Imasuen guilty after he failed to respond to the charges within the stipulated timeframe.
Since the revelation, Imasuen has remained unresponsive to calls, text messages, and emails from journalists seeking his reaction. The senator, who returned to Nigeria the same year his disbarment took effect, later worked as a consultant before securing a Senate seat in 2023 under the Labour Party. Under New York law, disbarred attorneys can apply for reinstatement after seven years, but it is unclear whether Imasuen has done so.
Notably, Imasuen chairs the Senate ethics committee and played a key role in the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. His committee dismissed her petition, leading to her six-month suspension. While his silence on the disbarment issue raises concerns, Imasuen remains active in Nigeria’s political landscape.