Senator Neda Imasuen to Join APC on Democracy Day Amid U.S. Fraud Links

Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen of Edo South has announced his defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), set to formally join the ruling party on June 12—Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Imasuen, currently chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, cited internal disarray in the Labour Party and his desire to align Edo South with the Tinubu-led federal government as key motivations for the move.

Imasuen’s political career, however, has been overshadowed by serious allegations stemming from his time in the United States. According to U.S. court filings and FBI investigations, he was involved in a $25 million mortgage fraud scheme that targeted at least 33 banks, including major institutions such as Citibank, HSBC, Wells Fargo, and Lehman Brothers. The federal grand jury indictment, dated December 14, 2012, named him as the lawyer who facilitated the fraudulent transactions.

Imasuen reportedly fled the U.S. amid the unfolding legal investigation, which eventually led to his disbarment in New York after being found to have misappropriated client funds and ignored subpoenas and disciplinary panels. Despite these controversies, he returned to Nigeria, entered politics, and secured a Senate seat, leveraging his position to influence national governance.

His defection is viewed as part of a broader political realignment in Nigeria, where opposition figures are increasingly joining the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that his move on Democracy Day is symbolic—intended to bolster both his political relevance and federal alignment. However, his contentious past may continue to pose reputational challenges within Nigeria’s political landscape.

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