Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation lawsuits he instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and several other individuals, saying the decision was inspired by a message he received during a New Year Mass.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday while speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, where he disclosed that he had filed nearly nine defamation cases against individuals he accused of making false allegations against him.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said.
He explained that his decision followed reflections during the church service.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” he added.
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In 2025, Akpabio had instituted a series of high-profile defamation suits, including one against his Senate colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In late 2025, the Senate President filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and challenged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing claims she said had damaged her family’s reputation.
The legal disputes followed a breakdown in relations between the two lawmakers after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously taken legal action of her own, filing a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and other defendants over remarks she said harmed her reputation, while also challenging disciplinary actions taken against her in court. The Kogi senator hasn’t reacted to Akpabio’s announcement at the time of this report.
