BREAKING: New Year Message Moves Akpabio to Drop All Defamation Lawsuits

BREAKING: New Year Message Moves Akpabio to Drop All Defamation Lawsuits

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his legal team to withdraw all pending defamation lawsuits he filed against several individuals, saying the decision was inspired by a message he received during a New Year Mass.

Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday while addressing worshippers at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, explaining that the priest’s sermon prompted deep personal reflection and a change of heart.

According to the Senate President, he had instituted nearly nine defamation cases against individuals he accused of making false and damaging allegations against him.

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

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In 2025, Akpabio was involved in several high-profile legal battles, including defamation suits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. One of the most prominent was a ₦200 billion defamation suit filed towards the end of the year, following allegations of sexual harassment, which Akpabio denied and challenged her to prove in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife had also approached the courts with separate defamation suits, alleging that statements attributed to Akpoti-Uduaghan caused reputational damage to their family.

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 and other actions in court, including filing a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and other defendants.

With Thursday’s announcement, Godswill Akpabio has effectively brought an end to all unresolved defamation-related litigation, closing a chapter of widely reported legal disputes as the new year begins.

BREAKING: New Year Message Moves Akpabio to Drop All Defamation Lawsuits