Constituents of Edo South Senatorial District and members of the Human Rights Community have expressed a complete loss of confidence in their representative, Senator Neda Imasuen, over allegations of failure, corruption, abuse of office, and betrayal of public trust.
In a statement released on Friday, the group revealed that they have officially initiated the recall process of the Labour Party senator and are calling for his prosecution, particularly regarding his alleged disbarment by the New York State Supreme Court in 2010. They also emphasized that given the international nature of the allegations, INTERPOL’s involvement is crucial for an independent and thorough global investigation.
Representatives from five of the seven local governments in the district, including Kola Edokpayi (Oredo), Caesar Garrick (Ikpoba-Okha), Aghatise Raphael (Ovia South West), Ogbu David (Uhunwode), and Okorie Kingsley (Ovia North East), held a press briefing in Benin, stating that the people of Edo South deserve leadership that is credible, accountable, and transparent.
The group accused Imasuen, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, of failing to deliver constituency projects in his district, claiming he has become disconnected from the people. They have given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Senate, and anti-corruption agencies a 14-day ultimatum to act on their petition.
In response, Senator Imasuen denied the allegations, claiming that the individuals behind the petition were recently invited to Kogi State. He suggested they were being paid to attack him, stating, “They are doing a hatchet job because they are being paid from Kogi. I don’t see why someone is being paid to throw stones at his father’s house.”
Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, is at the center of the controversy surrounding the sexual harassment petition filed by suspended Kogi State Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.