The Federal Government has filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Between March 3 and 29, 2025, Nwebonyi appeared on several television platforms, including Arise TV, Channels, TVC, and News Central, where he allegedly made the controversial remarks, according to court documents dated September 11, 2025.
The case, marked CR/547/2025, was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The prosecution alleged that Nwebonyi made several statements intended to damage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, describing her as a habitual accuser and a woman who uses her gender as a weapon. He was also quoted as questioning her moral character and referring to her as a mother of six from different men.
According to the charge sheet, these comments were considered malicious and capable of exposing the senator to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule. The Federal Government stated that such remarks 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 five-count charge focuses on Nwebonyi’s appearance on Arise Television’s “NewsDay” on March 3, 2025, where he accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of repeatedly making false sexual harassment allegations against public figures such as former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The prosecution said the senator’s comments were deliberate and meant to injure her reputation by portraying her as morally questionable and unfit for public office. The remaining four counts accuse him of making similar imputations during other television interviews and media engagements.
The Federal Government maintained that the statements were made with reckless disregard for the truth and amounted to criminal defamation under the Penal Code.
The case has been scheduled for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to enter his plea. If convicted, he faces imprisonment, a fine, or both, as prescribed under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act.
