General News
NEDA IMASUEN, CHAIR OF SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE, STRIPPED OF NEW YORK BAR LICENSE OVER MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD AND MISCONDUCT
Neda Imasuen, the chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, has been disbarred for life in New York, U.S., over allegations of multimillion-dollar fraud and gross misconduct. Imasuen, who recently recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was found guilty of swindling a client and absconding with legal fees without representing her in court.
According to documents obtained, Imasuen was permanently disbarred by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts in New York. The disbarment followed his failure to respond to multiple petitions and his refusal to cooperate with the disciplinary panel investigating his misconduct.
In 2009, Imasuen was hired by Daphne Shyfield to represent her in a legal matter and was paid tens of millions of dollars in legal fees. However, instead of appearing in court for his client, Imasuen fled with the money, violating New York’s bar code and rules. Despite being served with petitions on several occasions, Imasuen failed to respond or request an extension to file a response. He subsequently fled to Nigeria with Shyfield’s funds to evade disciplinary actions.
The Grievance Committee’s decision, dated May 10, 2010, stated, “Neda B. Imasuen, admitted as Neda Bernards Imasuen, is disbarred, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.” The notice further commanded Imasuen to “desist and refrain from practicing law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk, or employee of another, and from appearing as an attorney or counsellor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission, or other public authority.”
Despite his disbarment, Imasuen, 66, returned to Nigeria and leveraged his position within the Labour Party to win the Edo South senatorial election in 2023. He later became the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. His appointment to this role has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s leadership, given his history of disregarding petitions and ethical violations.
Last week, Imasuen dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing procedural flaws. He described the petition as “dead on arrival” because Akpoti-Uduaghan had signed the document herself, which he claimed violated Senate rules. However, he later accepted the petition after it was resubmitted with the signature of her constituent’s member.
Imasuen has not yet commented on his disbarment in New York. His case adds to the growing list of Nigerian politicians with tainted pasts who have occupied high-ranking government positions. Notably, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to the President, also had his law license terminated by the State Bar of Georgia in the U.S. over corruption and ethical lapses.
Imasuen’s disbarment by the New York Supreme Court highlights the recurring issue of Nigerian politicians committing crimes abroad and using the proceeds to fund their political careers in Nigeria. His case has sparked renewed scrutiny of the ethical standards of those in leadership positions within the country.
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.
Fresh hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict intensified early Sunday, with Iran launching strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre, leaving dozens injured and raising fears of wider regional escalation.
According to reports, missiles hit areas close to the nuclear facility in Dimona and the southern city of Arad. Rescue services confirmed that nearly 70 people were injured in Arad alone, with several in serious condition and multiple residential buildings severely damaged.
The Israeli military said it had begun retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Tehran, further escalating the conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.
Iran warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure across the region. The threat followed a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could target Iranian power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iranian authorities described such threats as provocative, vowing a firm response if carried out.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones targeting its territory, including areas near key oil installations, with no casualties reported. In a separate incident, a projectile struck near a commercial vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion but leaving the crew unharmed.
Iran’s state media reported that the death toll within the country has surpassed 1,500 since the conflict began, raising humanitarian concerns. Legal experts have also warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants could violate international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult moment,” as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned they could join the conflict if attacks against Iran intensify, cautioning that further escalation could disrupt global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite diplomatic signals, including a temporary U.S. move to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, there are no clear signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. Analysts warn the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war with significant global implications.
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.