Members of the Human Rights Community in Edo South Senatorial District have demanded for the removal of Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen representing the district in the senate chambers in Abuja on a chain of allegations bothering on what they among others claimed to be his failure, corruption, abuse of office and betrayal of public trust.
They issued a 14 days 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” adding “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 Commission(ICPC) and Interpol to “launch a full criminal investigation into his financial dealings, including international fraud allegations.” And to also “ensure his prosecution if found culpable.”
The petitioners charged the Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to commence disciplinary proceedings against Senator Imasuen “for gross violations of ethics and public trust” urging the senate to “immediately remove him as Chairman of the Ethics Committee pending investigation.”
Senator Imasuen was accused of totally 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.”
However, addressing the media, Senator Imasuen, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition, which passed a verdict on the imbroglio between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central, totally refuted the allegations against him.
He asserted 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.
Senator Imasuen said, “I have been very fair in all that I have been doing” adding that his committee’s verdict on the imbroglio between Senator Akpabio and Senator 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 adhoc committee. I have not been biased towards anybody.”
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