The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated criminal proceedings against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the Senator representing Ebonyi North and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, over a series of alleged defamatory statements made against his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The case, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, marks a significant escalation in a political dispute that has now entered the legal arena.
Formal charges, dated 11 September 2025 and bearing the case number CR/547/2025, were filed by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, the Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, acting on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The five-count charge sheet accuses Senator Nwebonyi of criminal defamation, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, which is punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
The prosecution alleges that Senator Nwebonyi made the offending remarks during a series of television appearances between 3 and 29 March 2025. The broadcasts, which aired on major networks including Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, and News Central Television, are said to have contained statements intended to damage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghanโs reputation.
According to the charge sheet, the senator described Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan as โa habitual accuserโ and โa woman who uses her gender as a weapon.โ He was further quoted as having stated, โThis woman is a known blackmailer, and people should be very careful with this woman.โ
The Federal Government contends that these imputations were made maliciously and were calculated to expose Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to โpublic hatred, contempt, and ridicule.โ The first count provides a detailed transcript from an Arise Television interview on 3 March, in which Senator Nwebonyi is alleged to have made deeply personal attacks.
The transcript quotes him as having questioned her character by stating, โWho are you? A mother of sixโฆa 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.โ He is also quoted as having said, โSenator Natasha is spoiling game for Nigeria women trying to enter politics, because nobody will vote for a womanโฆ if you give them more power!โ
The prosecutionโs case rests on the assertion that Senator Nwebonyi knew, or had reason to believe, that these statements would harm the reputation of a fellow senator. Each of the five counts corresponds to a specific media appearance where the defamatory remarks were allegedly broadcast.
The Federal Government maintains that the imputations were made with a reckless disregard for the truth, thus meeting the threshold for criminal defamation under Nigerian law.
The case has been formally scheduled for a hearing at the FCT High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to enter a plea and mount his defence against the allegations. The potential consequences for the senator are severe.
If convicted, the offence carries a penalty of imprisonment, a fine, or both, as stipulated under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act. This legal action underscores the governmentโs willingness to pursue criminal sanctions in matters of defamation involving high-profile public officials, setting a notable precedent for political discourse in the country. The proceedings will be closely watched, as their outcome could have significant implications for the boundaries of political rhetoric and personal reputation in Nigerian public life.
Discussion about this post