Akpabio withdraws all defamation suits, including case against Senator Natasha

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his legal team to withdraw all defamation lawsuits he filed against various individuals, including a high-profile case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio said the decision followed a New Year Mass he attended on Thursday morning at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where a priest’s sermon deeply moved him.

Speaking to congregants after the service, the Senate President disclosed that he had instituted nearly nine defamation suits against people he accused of lying against and slandering him but decided to discontinue all the cases after reflecting on the message delivered during the sermon.

“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me and 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,” Akpabio said.

In 2025, Akpabio filed several defamation suits, including a ₦200 billion claim against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had accused him of sexual harassment—an allegation he denied and challenged her to prove in court.

There has been no official reaction yet from those affected by the withdrawal of the suits.