Nigeria, Oct. 18 -- The federal government has charged a senator, Peter Nwebonyi, with making defamatory and inciting statements against his colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a series of television appearances and social media posts in March.

The charges, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were brought by the Federal Ministry of Justice with Mr Nwebonyi named as the sole defendant.

The prosecution, led by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions, charged Mr Nwebonyi under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, which criminalise defamation and the publication of false statements intended to harm another's reputation.

The five counts accused the Ebonyi ...