ABUJA – The Federal Government has initiated criminal proceedings against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) by filing a five-count charge of criminal defamation over alleged malicious statements made against his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).
The charges, marked CR/547/2025, were officially filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by Mr. Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
Senator Nwebonyi, who serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, is accused of making the offensive remarks across various national media platforms, including Arise Television, Channels TV, TVC, and News Central TV, between March 3 and March 29, 2025.
Allegations of Malicious Intent
According to the charge sheet dated September 11, 2025, the prosecution claims the statements were deliberately intended to tarnish Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation and expose her to public contempt.
The prosecution specifically cited multiple highly personal and derogatory comments allegedly made by Senator Nwebonyi, including describing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as:
- “A habitual accuser”
- “A woman who uses her gender as a weapon”
- “A known blackmailer”
The charges further allege that Senator Nwebonyi made disparaging personal remarks concerning his colleague’s family life. The Federal Government maintains that these comments were “malicious, false, and capable of exposing the senator to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.”
Penal Code Infractions
The five counts of defamation were brought under Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, with punishment prescribed under Section 392 of the same Act.
Count One specifically details an alleged televised interview on Arise News, accusing Senator Nwebonyi of knowingly making imputations harmful to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation. The remaining four counts similarly accuse the Ebonyi North Senator of disseminating comparable defamatory remarks across other platforms during the defined three-week period in March.
If convicted under the Penal Code, the offence of criminal defamation carries a penalty that includes a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The case is now scheduled for a hearing at the FCT High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to appear to enter his formal plea and respond to the serious allegations brought forth by the Federal Government. The legal battle is anticipated to draw significant attention given the prominence of both parties within the Senate and the potential implications for political discourse.
