FG Files Criminal Defamation Charges Against Ebonyi North District Rep Over Disparaging Remarks On Senator Natasha's Persona

The Nigerian Federal Government has filed a five-count charge including criminal defamation charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi over defamatory statements he made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The prosecution in the charge sheet marked CR/547/2025, and filed by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, accused Senator Nwebonyi who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, of making several remarks intended to damage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, including describing her as “a habitual accuser” and “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon” during his appearances on Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, and News Central Television in Abuja, as well as in other media outlets between March 3 and 29, 2025. He was further quoted to have said, “This woman is a known blackmailer. People should be very careful with this woman.”

According to the Federal Government, the aforesaid remarks were malicious and capable of exposing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.

Meanwhile, the charge sheet also stated that Nwebonyi made disparaging personal comments about the senator, describing her as “a mother of six from different men” and questioning her moral character, statements which the prosecution says constitute a violation of 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 making imputations knowing that such statements would harm the reputation of another person, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.

Read the count one statement of offence in full below:

“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 accuses Senator 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 further maintained 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. If however found guilty, he faces penalties prescribed under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, which include imprisonment, a fine, or both.

This is a developing case, as more reports are being made available, this article will be updated. Stay tuned.

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