Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the withdrawal of all defamation lawsuits he filed against individuals, saying a sermon delivered during a New Year Mass made him reconsider his actions.
Akpabio made this known on Thursday while speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, shortly after the church service.
He disclosed that he had filed about nine defamation cases in court over statements he believed damaged his reputation.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said.
He explained that the priest’s message during the Mass spoke directly to his conscience and influenced his decision.
“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,” he added.
Over the past year, Akpabio had been involved in several high-profile defamation suits. In late 2025, he filed a N200bn lawsuit against fellow senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and asked her to prove in court.
Earlier in the year, his wife also instituted defamation proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that certain claims had damaged the family’s reputation.
The legal battles followed a breakdown in relations between both lawmakers after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, which came after her public allegations of misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had also approached the court, filing a N100bn defamation suit against Akpabio and others over remarks she said harmed her image.
With his announcement on Thursday, Akpabio has brought an end to all pending defamation-related court cases involving him, marking a fresh start at the beginning of the new year.
