Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation cases filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and several other persons, saying the decision was prompted by a message he received during the New Year mass celebration.
Akpabio made this announcement while speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo on Thursday, where he disclosed that he has filed about nine defamation cases against persons who made false allegations against him.
“I had about nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who defamed my name,” Akpabio said.
He said his decision was taken after deliberations during a church service.
He said, “But I listened to the priest and suddenly I realized that he was talking to me, so I instruct my lawyer to withdraw all the cases against him.”
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In 2025, Akpabio initiated a series of high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against his Senate colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In late 2025, the Senate President filed a N200 billion defamation suit against him over sexual harassment allegations, which he rejected and challenged him to prove in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio's wife also filed a defamation suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, claiming he had damaged her family's reputation.
Relations between the two MPs soured after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing his suspension from the Senate following public allegations of misconduct in March 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier taken legal action of his own, filing a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and the other defendants over comments that damaged his reputation, while also challenging the disciplinary actions taken against him in court. As of the time of this report, the Kogi senator has not reacted to Akpabio’s announcement.
