The Federal Government has dragged the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, on a five-count charge of criminal defamation, over what it described as a “vile and coordinated smear campaign” against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The charges, marked CR/547/2025, were filed by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
According to the charge sheet dated September 11, 2025, Nwebonyi — a 44-year-old lawmaker representing Ebonyi North — allegedly made a series of false, malicious, and disparaging remarks against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan across multiple national television appearances and digital platforms between March 3 and 29, 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Senator Nwebonyi used his media influence to launch a sustained verbal assault on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, appearing on major national platforms including Arise TV, Channels TV, TVC News, and News Central Television, as well as posting defamatory content on an Arise TMS Guests Forum WhatsApp group.
The Federal Government described the remarks as part of a “calculated campaign of defamation” targeting the Kogi lawmaker and her husband, High Chief Emmanuel O. Uduaghan.
During these appearances, Nwebonyi reportedly branded Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan “a habitual accuser,” “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon,” and “a known blackmailer.”
He also allegedly questioned her morality, describing her as “a mother of six from different men” — statements prosecutors say were false, malicious, and capable of exposing her to public hatred and ridicule.
The charge listed at least five broadcast appearances and one digital instance where Nwebonyi allegedly made such statements to include, Arise TV’s “NewsDay” on March 3, 2025: Channels TV’s “Sunrise Daily” on March 6, 2025: TVC News’ “Politics on Sunday” on March 9, 2025: News Central Television on March 26, 2025: and Arise TMS Guests Forum WhatsApp group in March (unspecified date)
Inside the Court Papers the charge lists at least five separate instances of the alleged defamation to include
In Count One, the prosecution cited a live interview on Arise TV’s NewsDay, where Nwebonyi reportedly said:
“This is a woman that accused Yahaya Bello and others 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.”
He allegedly went further to say she was “a habitual accuser of men” and “a mother of six from different men” — imputations prosecutors claim he made “knowing or having reason to believe” they would harm her reputation.
Counts Two through Five detail similar alleged infractions on other broadcasts within the same period, in violation of Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
If convicted, Nwebonyi faces imprisonment, fines, or both, under Nigeria’s criminal defamation provisions.
This marks one of the few instances where the Federal Government, rather than a private individual, is prosecuting a serving senator for defamation — a move that could redefine the boundaries of free speech and accountability in politics.
A senior Justice Ministry official told our correspondent
“Freedom of expression cannot be a weapon of destruction. This case is about drawing the line between robust debate and reputational assault.”
Legal observers say the trial could set a precedent for responsible political communication, particularly in an era when media platforms are often used to attack opponents without consequence.
“This is not just about two senators,” said an Abuja-based legal analyst. “It’s about whether elected officials can defame others and hide behind free speech.”
The case has been filed and is expected to be assigned to a trial judge at the FCT High Court in the coming days, after which Senator Nwebonyi will be required to enter his plea.
If convicted, the Ebonyi senator could become the first serving lawmaker in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic to be found guilty of criminal defamation — a decision that would send shockwaves through the National Assembly.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not publicly commented on the case, though aides said she remains “calm and confident in the justice process.”
For a Senate often accused of shielding its members from accountability, this case could prove a watershed — one that determines whether public office remains a shield for impunity or a call to responsibility.