Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has directed his legal team to withdraw all pending defamation suits he instituted against several individuals, saying the decision was inspired by a message delivered during a New Year Mass.
Akpabio disclosed this on Thursday while speaking at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo. He explained that he had instituted close to nine defamation cases against people he accused of lying and making damaging claims against him.
“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 former Akwa Ibom State governor filed a number of high-profile defamation suits, including one against fellow senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Later in the same year, Akpabio also instituted a ₦200 billion defamation suit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and asked her to substantiate in court.
Earlier, Akpabio’s wife had similarly filed defamation actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that claims made against her husband negatively affected their family’s reputation.
Relations between both lawmakers deteriorated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct. She subsequently challenged the suspension in court and filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and others, claiming their statements damaged her reputation.
With the latest directive, Akpabio has formally withdrawn all defamation-related cases involving him, bringing an end to the widely publicised legal battles as the new year begins.
