The Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serving as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, over alleged defamatory statements made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
According to Sahara Reporters, the five-count charge (marked CR/547/2025) was filed before the FCT High Court, Abuja, by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The charge sheet, dated September 11, 2025, accuses Nwebonyi of making multiple offensive remarks between March 3 and 29, 2025, during appearances on Arise TV, Channels TV, TVC, and News Central. The prosecution alleged that his statements — which included calling Akpoti-Uduaghan “a habitual accuser” and “a mother of six from different men” — were malicious and intended to harm her reputation.
The Federal Government contends that the comments violated Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same law, which prescribes penalties of imprisonment, fine, or both.
Count One of the charge details remarks made during an interview on Arise TV’s “NewsDay”, where Nwebonyi allegedly described Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as “a habitual accuser of men” and questioned her moral character.
The case has been scheduled for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to appear and enter his plea. If found guilty, he faces penalties under the provisions of the Penal Code Act.