By Austin Ogwuda
THE Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has, at last, filed criminal charges against the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) for allegedly making defamatory statements against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).
The charges preferred against Senator Nwebonyi followed persistent protests by Senator Natasha accusing the Federal Government of alleged double standard since alleged sexual harassment debacle began.
Recall that 23rd of September this year, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan launched a strong legal offensive against the Federal Government, describing the criminal defamation charges filed against her as a brazen act of political persecution and an exhibition of double standard by the Federal Government.
In a preliminary objection, on that day, seeking the dismissal of the six counts filed against her by the Attorney General of the Federation, she contended that while the Federal Government was quick to file charges against her based on the complaint of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the same government ignored her own earlier petitions against Akpabio and other plethora of cases seeking redress.
Charges against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi
According to SaharaReporters, the five-count charge against Senator Nwebonyi reads in part:
*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 Akpoti-Uduaghan during the referenced interview programme with Arise Television anchors/hosts (Aaron Akerejola and Cynthia Areh) to wit:
“This is an attempt to discredit the Senate President, and this is not the first time, just give me some time, this is not the first time this woman is doing this. This is a woman that have accused Yahaya Bello of sexual harassment…”
“This is the same woman that accused Reno Omokri, the former media aide to Jonathan of sexual harassment, this is a woman I saw on a video yesterday accusing a Minister 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, let me tell you something…”
“Senator Natasha is spoiling game for Nigeria women trying to enter politics, because nobody will vote for a woman… No! I’m telling you, if women can behave this way, then there is danger… if you give them more power!”
“And I have my points, any slightest provocation, you accuse eh, he want to sexually harass me, he eh (inaudible). Who are you? A mother of six…a mother of six from different men, without going to her character, this is a mother of six from different men and you think that her character is not questionable.”
“I’m going to her character, she have to change! We should condemn evil that is the point…I’m a Christian.”
“Listen! She is a habitual accuser, she is a habitual accuser of men, of sexual harassment.”
“And YOU SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI know or have reason to believe that these imputations will harm the reputation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Senator of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Counts Two to Five: Each of the remaining four counts accuses Senator Peter Nwebonyi of making statements or imputations knowing, or having reason to believe, that such remarks would harm the reputation of another person, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.
The Federal Government maintains that these imputations were made maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, thereby constituting criminal defamation under the law.
The case has been formally entered for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to take his plea and defend himself against the allegations.
If found guilty, he faces penalties prescribed under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, which include imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The five-count charge, marked CR/547/2025, was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (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, dated September 11, 2025, obtained by SaharaReporters.
Credit: SaharaReporters
