The Federal Government has filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi over alleged defamatory statements he made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Naijaonpoint reports that the five-count charge, marked CR/547/2025, was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on behalf of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
The charge sheet, dated September 11, 2025, reveals that Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, made the allegedly defamatory remarks between March 3 and 29, 2025.
These statements were made during appearances on Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, News Central Television, and other media outlets in Abuja.
The prosecution claims that Senator Nwebonyi made multiple statements with the intent of damaging the reputation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including calling her “a habitual accuser” and “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon.”
Senator Nwebonyi was further quoted as saying, “This woman is a known blackmailer, and people should be very careful with this woman.”
The Federal Government has argued that such remarks were malicious and capable of exposing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.
The charge sheet also accuses Nwebonyi of making disparaging comments about the senator, including describing her as “a mother of six from different men” and questioning her moral character.
These comments, according to the prosecution, violate Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
Count One of the charge specifically accuses Senator Nwebonyi of knowingly making imputations that would harm another person’s reputation, which is contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.
If convicted, Senator Nwebonyi faces the potential penalty of imprisonment, a fine, or both, in accordance with the Penal Code provisions.
The statement of offence for count one reads, “Making imputation knowing that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Nigeria and punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
“That on or about the 3rd day of March 2025, during a live studio interview programme “NewsDay” on Arise Television in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, You SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI, made the following imputation concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during the referenced interview programme with Arise Television anchors/hosts (Aaron Akerejola and Cynthia Areh) to wit:
“This is an attempt to discredit the Senate President, and this is not the first time, just give me some time, this is not the first time this woman is doing this. This is a woman that have accused Yahaya Bello of sexual harassment…”
“This is the same woman that accused Reno Omokri, the former media aide to Jonathan of sexual harassment, this is a woman I saw on a video yesterday accusing a Minister of sexual harassment. Are you the only woman in Nigeria? Senator Natasha! What is wrong with you?
“This is madness, Nigerian women should rise against this, let me tell you something…
“Senator Natasha is spoiling game for Nigeria women trying to enter politics, because nobody will vote for a woman… No! I’m telling you, if women can behave this way, then there is danger… if you give them more power!
“And I have my points, any slightest provocation, you accuse eh, he want to sexually harass me, he eh (inaudible). Who are you? A mother of six…a mother of six from different men, without going to her character, this is a mother of six from different men and you think that her character is not questionable.
“I’m going to her character, she have to change! We should condemn evil that is the point…I’m a Christian.
“Listen! She is a habitual accuser, she is a habitual accuser of men, of sexual harassment.
“And YOU SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI know or have reason to believe that these imputations will harm the reputation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Senator of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Counts Two to Five: Each of the remaining four counts accuses Senator Peter Nwebonyi of making statements or imputations knowing, or having reason to believe, that such remarks would harm the reputation of another person, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.
The Federal Government maintains that these imputations were made maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, thereby constituting criminal defamation under the law.
The case has been formally scheduled for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to take his plea and defend himself against the allegations.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]