Members of the human rights community in Edo South Senatorial District have demanded for the removal of Senator Neda Imasuen, accusing of failing in his parliamentary duties, corruption, abuse of office and betrayal of public trust.
The human rights activists issued a 14 -day ultimatum to the relevant authorities to take action, adding “if no action is taken, we will mobilize mass protests, pursue legal action, and escalate our demands nationally and internationally.”
The petitioners want the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “begin immediate verification of recall signatures and schedule a referendum, as any delay will be considered a deliberate attempt to undermine democracy.”
The human rights groups called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Interpol to “launch a full criminal investigation into his financial dealings, including international fraud allegations, and ensure his prosecution if found culpable.”
The petitioners charged the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to also commence disciplinary proceedings against Sen. Imasuen “for gross violations of ethics and public trust” urging the Senate to “immediately remove him as chairman of the ethics committee pending an investigation.”
Sen. Imasuen was further accused of neglecting his constituents, saying “no constituency projects, no engagement, no accountability. No town hall meetings since his assumption of office, leaving constituents completely disconnected from governance.”
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However, addressing the media, Sen. Imasuen, refuted the allegations against him, asserting that the petitioners were working for their money as they have the financial backing of some personalities from the neighbouring Kogi State.
He disclosed that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition, is one of the seven standing committees of the Senate and the chairmanship position was given to him two years ago.
Sen. Imasuen said “I have been very fair in all that I have been doing,” adding that his committee’s verdict on the imbroglio between Sen. Akpabio and Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is not on the allegation of sexual harrassment, but on the impropriety of how the petition was presented by the petitioner, who against the rules of the Senate, signed the petition.
He disclosed that the committee is not a one -man committee as it has 29 members, “it’s not an ad hoc committee. I have not been biased towards anybody.”
