FG Sues Nwebonyi Over Defamatory Comments  Against Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court is set to commence hearing in a case of criminal defamation against the Senator representing Ebonyi North, Peter Nwebonyi.

The case was filed on behalf of of the Federal Government by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN,  following alleged defamatory statements made against Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

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 of the Federation, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to the charge sheet dated 11, September 2025, Nwebonyi—who is the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate—allegedly made the remarks between the 3rd and 29th of March 2025 during appearances on Arise Television, Channels TV, TVC, News Central TV, and other media platforms.

The prosecution accuses Nwebonyi of making several malicious statements intended to tarnish Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, including describing her as “a habitual accuser” and “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon.”

He was further quoted as calling her “a known blackmailer” and made personal remarks about her family life.

According to the Federal Government, the comments were “malicious, false, and capable of exposing the Senator to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.”

The charges state that the alleged comments contravene Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.

Count One of the charge specifically accuses Senator Nwebonyi of knowingly making imputations harmful to another person’s reputation, citing his televised interview on Arise News where he allegedly made several disparaging comments about Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Each of the remaining four counts also accuses Nwebonyi of making similar defamatory statements across other platforms within the same period.

If convicted, the offence carries a penalty of imprisonment, a fine, or both, as prescribed under the Penal Code.

Recall thar Senator Nwebonyi had, around, same period, at a public hearing, made very condescending comments against a former Honourable Minister for Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili.