Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has directed his legal team to discontinue all pending defamation lawsuits he instituted against various individuals.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday during a New Year Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saying the decision was inspired by the sermon delivered during the service.
He disclosed that he had filed nearly nine defamation cases against people he accused of maligning his reputation but decided to forgive and withdraw the suits.
“I had almost nine cases in court against individuals who defamed me, lied against me and slandered my name. “But as I listened to the priest, I felt the message was directed at me. I have therefore instructed my solicitor to withdraw all the lawsuits”, Akpabio said.
In 2025, Akpabio initiated several high-profile defamation suits, including actions against fellow senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Toward the end of the year, he filed a ₦200 billion defamation suit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and challenged her to prove in court.
Similarly, Akpabio’s wife also instituted defamation proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that her claims damaged the family’s reputation.
Tensions between the two lawmakers escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025 following her public allegations of misconduct. She also challenged the suspension in court and filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and others over statements she said harmed her reputation.
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