Senate President Godswill Akpabio has ordered his legal team to discontinue all pending defamation suits he instituted against various individuals, saying his decision followed a message delivered during a New Year Mass.
Akpabio made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing worshippers at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, where he said the priest’s sermon prompted a personal reflection.
According to him, he had initiated close to nine defamation cases against people he accused of making false allegations against him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“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.”
In 2025, the Senate President filed several prominent defamation suits, including one involving fellow lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Towards the end of that year, Akpabio instituted a N200bn defamation suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and asked her to prove in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also approached the courts with defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that certain claims had damaged her family’s reputation.
The relationship between both senators deteriorated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public accusations of misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had also challenged actions taken against her in court, including filing a N100bn defamation suit against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged statements she said harmed her reputation.
With the announcement made on Thursday, Akpabio has brought an end to all unresolved defamation-related legal battles, effectively closing a chapter of widely reported litigation as the new year begins.
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