FG charges Nwebonyi to court over ‘vile’ remarks against Natasha Akpoti

The federal government has filed a five-count criminal defamation charge against Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi north, over alleged “vile and disparaging” comments made against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi central.

The case, marked CR/547/2025, was filed before the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, director of public prosecutions (DPP), on behalf of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

According to court documents dated September 11, 2025, Nwebonyi, who serves as deputy chief whip of the senate, allegedly made several false and damaging statements against Akpoti-Uduaghan across television and online platforms between March 3 and 29, 2025.

The prosecution accused Nwebonyi of engaging in a deliberate smear campaign designed to ridicule and harm the reputation of the Kogi lawmaker and her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Prosecutors said Nwebonyi referred to Akpoti-Uduaghan as “a habitual accuser”, “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon”, and “a known blackmailer”, among other comments the government described as malicious and defamatory.

One of the charges cited his appearance on Arise TV’s NewsDay on March 3, 2025, where he allegedly said: “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 also reportedly described her as “a mother of six from different men”, a claim prosecutors said was made “knowing or having reason to believe” it would expose her to public contempt or ridicule.

The charge lists at least five broadcast appearances and one digital instance where similar statements were made, contrary to sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT.

If convicted, the offence carries penalties of imprisonment, fines, or both, under Nigeria’s criminal defamation laws.

NWEBONYI REACTS

Meanwhile, Nwebonyi has denied knowledge of any case filed against him by the federal government.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Romanus Uzor Ozioko, the senator described reports of the suit as “mischievous, unfounded, and fabricated”.

Nwebonyi urged Nigerians to disregard the “politically motivated falsehoods” intended to create tension within the national assembly.

“Ordinarily, this baseless and malicious report would not deserve a dignified response,” he said.

“However, in order to set the record straight and prevent unsuspecting members of the public from being misled by the antics of political jobbers and mischief makers, the following clarifications are necessary.”

The development follows months of tension between both lawmakers after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, of sexual harassment — a claim he has publicly denied.