In a dramatic shift prompted by a church sermon, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced on Thursday that he has ordered the withdrawal of all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, including a high-profile N200 billion case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The announcement was made by Akpabio himself during a New Year Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo. He revealed that he had nearly nine active cases against individuals he accused of defaming him but was moved to end the litigation after listening to the priest’s counsel.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio told the congregation. “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.”
The decision brings to a sudden close a series of bitter legal disputes that marked much of 2025. The most notable was the lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, whom Akpabio had sued over allegations of sexual harassment, which he vehemently denied. His wife had also filed separate defamation suits against the Kogi Central senator.
The feud between the two lawmakers escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct. She had also filed a N100 billion defamation suit of her own against Akpabio.
With Thursday’s directive, Akpabio has effectively called for a legal truce, signaling an end to the public and costly court battles as the new year begins. The move points toward an unexpected path of reconciliation, closing a contentious chapter in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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