The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted criminal defamation charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi
following alleged defamatory statements made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central
Senatorial District. The five-count charge, CR/547/2025, was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja,
by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, on behalf of the Attorney
General of the Federation. According to the charge sheet dated September 11, 2025, Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi
North Senatorial District and serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, allegedly made the statements between March 3
and 29, 2025, during appearances on Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, and News Central TV, among other media
platforms.The prosecution claims that the lawmaker made several “malicious statements” intended to tarnish Senator
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, including labeling her “a habitual accuser” and “a woman who uses her gender as a
weapon. ” He was also reportedly quoted saying, “This woman is a known blackmailer, and people should be very
careful with this woman. ”The Federal Government argues that these comments were capable of exposing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to public hatred, contempt, and
ridicule. Additionally, the charge sheet states that Senator Nwebonyi made disparaging personal remarks, including
describing her as “a mother of six from different men” and questioning her moral character. According to the prosecution,
these statements violate Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, punishable under
Section 392 of the same law.The first count alleges that Senator Nwebonyi made imputations he knew would harm Senator
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation. The statement of offence specifies that on March 3, 2025, during a live interview on
“NewsDay” on Arise Television in Abuja, the senator made comments including:
“This is an attempt to discredit the Senate President, and this is not the first time this woman is doing this. This is a woman that has accused Yahaya Bello of sexual
harassment. This is the same woman that accused Reno Omokri, 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. Senator Natasha is spoiling
games for Nigerian women trying to enter politics because nobody will vote for a woman if women can behave this way.
Then there is danger if you give them more power.”In another segment of the interview, he allegedly said: “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 has to change! We should condemn
evil, that’s the point. I’m a Christian.”He reportedly concluded: “Listen! She is a habitual accuser, a habitual accuser of
men, of sexual harassment.”The prosecution contends that Senator Nwebonyi knew or had reason to believe
that these statements would harm Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation. Counts two to five mirror the first, citing similar
remarks made on other television networks.The Federal Government asserts that these statements were made
maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, constituting criminal defamation under Nigerian law.If convicted, Senator
Nwebonyi could face penalties under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, including imprisonment, fines, or both. The
case has been scheduled for hearing at the FCT High Court, where the senator is expected to enter his plea and defend himself against the allegations.
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