By Ibrahim Ibrahim
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the withdrawal of all pending defamation lawsuits he instituted against various individuals, saying a sermon he heard during a New Year Mass prompted the decision.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday while speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He disclosed that he had filed nearly nine defamation cases against persons he accused of lying and damaging his reputation.
According to him, the message delivered by the priest during the Mass struck a personal chord and led him to reconsider his actions.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said. “But as I listened to the priest, I realised he was speaking directly to me. I have therefore directed my lawyer to withdraw all the lawsuits against them.”
The Senate President had, in 2025, filed a number of high-profile defamation suits, including one against fellow lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In one of the cases, Akpabio sought ₦200 billion in damages over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and asked her to prove in court.
Earlier, Akpabio’s wife had also instituted defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, claiming that certain allegations had brought harm to their family’s reputation.
Tensions between the two senators escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
She had also approached the court to challenge actions taken against her, including filing a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged damaging remarks.
With the latest directive, Akpabio has brought an end to all pending defamation-related legal battles, marking a move toward reconciliation and closure at the start of the new year.
