Federal Government has taken legal action against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, accusing him of repeatedly making defamatory statements about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the media.
Gatekeepers News reports that filed under case number CR/547/2025 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, the charge sheet was submitted 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 documents dated 11 September 2025, the 44-year-old Ebonyi North Senator and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate allegedly made repeated vile, false, and disparaging remarks about Akpoti-Uduaghan in various television appearances and online platforms between 3 and 29 March 2025.
Prosecutors contend that Nwebonyi used prominent national broadcasters — including Arise TV, Channels TV, TVC News, and News Central Television — to issue statements “intended to harm and ridicule” the senator and her husband, High Chief Emmanuel O. Uduaghan.
In what the government describes as a “calculated campaign of defamation,” Nwebonyi reportedly called Akpoti-Uduaghan “a habitual accuser,” “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon,” and “a known blackmailer.”
He allegedly also stated on live television that she was “a mother of six from different men,” comments the prosecution claims were malicious and capable of exposing her to public contempt and ridicule.
The charge sheet cites at least five television appearances and one digital instance, including Arise TV’s NewsDay on 3 March 2025; Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on 6 March; TVC News’ Politics on Sunday on 9 March; News Central Television on 26 March; and the Arise TMS Guests Forum WhatsApp group in March (unspecified date). Prosecutors have promised to present broadcast footage and digital records to demonstrate a deliberate campaign against the senator’s reputation.
Count One details that during a live NewsDay interview on 3 March 2025, Nwebonyi stated, “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 further labeled her “a habitual accuser of men” and “a mother of six from different men,” statements that prosecutors say were made “knowing or having reason to believe” they would damage her reputation. Counts Two through Five highlight similar alleged offenses on other programs during the same period, violating Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT.
