The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted criminal defamation proceedings against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, for making alleged defamatory statements against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
The charges were filed on September 11th, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, under case number CR/547/2025, and are being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.Senator Nwebonyi is accused of making malicious remarks intended to damage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation in multiple media appearances between March 3 and 29, 2025, including on Arise Television and Channels Television.
The offensive statements reportedly labeled her a “habitual accuser,” “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon,” and a “known blackmailer,” among other disparaging personal comments questioning her moral character and family background.
The prosecution alleges these statements were made with full knowledge of their harm potential, breaching Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act of the Federal Capital Territory, which cover criminal defamation. Conviction may attract imprisonment, fines, or both.
This legal action follows a related civil defamation suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senator Nwebonyi, seeking N5 billion in damages for similar defamatory remarks made publicly earlier in the year. The Federal Government’s criminal case intensifies the dispute, highlighting the severity with which defamatory conduct among public officials is being addressed in Nigeria’s courts.The matter continues to draw significant public and media attention due to the stature of both senators involved and the implications for political discourse and accountability in the Nigerian Senate.
