The Nigerian Federal Government has filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi for alleged malicious remarks made against Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan accusing him of violating Section 391 of the Penal Code Act Read the full details of the charges and the context of the political feud .
The political and legal landscape in Nigeria’s National Assembly has intensified as the Federal Government through the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation has formally instituted criminal defamation proceedings against one of its serving lawmakers Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi The suit is in response to a series of alleged vile remarks the senator made against a female colleague Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan .
The move seen as an attempt to curb derogatory and unsubstantiated public commentary among political figures marks a significant escalation of a longrunning feud between the two senators which originated from the highly publicized sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio .
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The Parties Involved in the Suit
The lawsuit names Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi as the defendant Nwebonyi a member of the All Progressives Congress APC represents the Ebonyi North Senatorial District and holds the position of Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate .
The complainant for whom the remarks were allegedly made is Senator Natasha Hadiza AkpotiUduaghan a lawyer and politician representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District under the People’s Democratic Party PDP She holds the distinction of being the first elected female senator in Kogi State .
Details of the Criminal Charges
According to the charge sheet dated September 11 2025 the Federal Government acting as the prosecutor has filed multiple counts of criminal defamation against Senator Nwebonyi The charges stem from statements the lawmaker made during several media appearances specifically on Arise Television and Channels Television between March 3 and March 29 2025 .
The core of the prosecution’s argument is that Senator Nwebonyi made imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person which is an offense punishable under Nigeria’s penal code .
Specifically the prosecution highlighted several deeply personal and disparaging statements allegedly made by Nwebonyi against Senator AkpotiUduaghan including .
- Describing her as a habitual accuser and a woman who uses her gender as a weapon .
- Stating This woman is a known blackmailer and people should be very careful with this woman .
- Making highly personal and unverified remarks such as describing her as a mother of six from different men and subsequently questioning her moral character .
The charge sheet explicitly reads 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 AkpotiUduaghan and concluding that Nwebonyi knew these imputations would harm the Senator’s reputation .
Legal Implications and Penal Code Provisions
The criminal charges are a violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Nigeria with the potential penalties outlined in Section 392 of the same Act If Senator Nwebonyi is convicted of the offense the law provides for a potential sentence of imprisonment a fine or both .
The decision by the Federal Government to file this criminal suit rather than allowing the matter to remain a civil dispute underscores the seriousness with which the government views the alleged malicious and unverified public attacks by one lawmaker on another The prosecution contends that the remarks were malicious and capable of exposing Senator AkpotiUduaghan to public hatred contempt and ridicule which directly damages her reputation as a public officer and an individual .
Context of the Senate Feud
The animosity between Senators Nwebonyi and AkpotiUduaghan is deeply rooted in the political drama surrounding the claims made by Senator AkpotiUduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio Senator AkpotiUduaghan had alleged that her suspension from the Senate and other political challenges stemmed from her rejection of alleged sexual advances by the Senate President a claim Akpabio has publicly and vehemently denied .
Senator Nwebonyi a staunch defender of the Senate President had on several occasions vehemently refuted AkpotiUduaghan’s claims asserting that her sexual harassment allegations were merely an attempt to discredit the Senate president It was during these media defenses that the alleged defamatory remarks were made The controversy previously led to a public clash between Senator Nwebonyi and former Minister of Education Dr Oby Ezekwesili during a Senate Ethics Committee hearing on the matter .
It is noteworthy that in addition to the Federal Government’s criminal prosecution Senator AkpotiUduaghan has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Senator Nwebonyi demanding N51 billion in damages for the alleged defamation further complicating the legal battles facing the Deputy Chief Whip .
The outcome of the Federal Governments criminal suit will be closely monitored as it sets a critical precedent for acceptable conduct and public discourse among elected officials in the country .
Disclaimer:
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should crosscheck updates from official news outlets .