Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that he has instructed his lawyers to withdraw all court cases he filed against individuals over alleged defamation.
Akpabio made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking at the New Year Mass held at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the Senate President, he had instituted nearly nine lawsuits against people he accused of defaming and slandering his name.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals — people who defamed me, lied against me and slandered my name,” Akpabio said.
He explained that a message delivered by the priest during the service led him to reconsider his actions.
“Listening to the priest, I suddenly realised he was speaking to me,” he said, adding that he had consequently directed his legal team to withdraw all the cases.
In December 2025, Akpabio filed a ₦200 billion defamation suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, following allegations of sexual harassment made against him.
Earlier in the year, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged during an interview on Arise Television that the Senate President made sexual advances toward her at his office and residence in Akwa Ibom State. She further claimed that her challenges in the Senate began after she rejected the alleged advances. Akpabio has consistently denied the allegations.
Before the accusations, both lawmakers had engaged in a public disagreement on the floor of the Senate over a change in seating arrangements.
Akpabio’s decision to withdraw the lawsuits, he said, was taken in the spirit of the New Year and reflection.
