The Federal Government has instituted a five-count criminal defamation case against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi over alleged defamatory remarks made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The charges, numbered CR/547/2025, were filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 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.
According to the charge sheet dated September 11, 2025, Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, allegedly made the comments between March 3 and March 29, 2025, during appearances on Arise Television, Channels TV, TVC, News Central TV, and other media outlets.
The prosecution alleged that the senator made a series of “malicious and false statements” aimed at damaging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation. Among his alleged comments were descriptions of her as “a habitual accuser,” “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon,” and “a known blackmailer.” He was also accused of making derogatory remarks about her personal and family life.
The Federal Government stated that the comments were “false, malicious, and intended to expose Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.”
The charges indicate that Nwebonyi’s actions contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
Count One specifically accuses the senator of making harmful imputations against another person’s reputation during a televised interview on Arise News, where he allegedly made defamatory remarks against his colleague.
The remaining four counts detail similar statements made on different media platforms within the same period.
If found guilty, Nwebonyi faces penalties that include imprisonment, a fine, or both, as stipulated under the Penal Code.
The case has been slated for hearing at the FCT High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to appear to enter his plea and respond to the charges.
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