Akpabio Drops Defamation Cases After New Year Church Service

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has withdrawn all pending defamation suits he filed against several individuals, saying the decision followed a sermon at a New Year Mass.

Akpabio spoke on Sunday at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he said he had earlier taken nearly nine people to court over comments he believed damaged his name.

According to him, the priest’s message made him reflect, and he decided to end the legal actions.

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

Background to the Lawsuits

In 2025, Akpabio filed a number of defamation suits that attracted public attention. One of the most talked-about cases involved fellow senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Later in the year, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation suit against her after allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and asked her to prove in court.

Akpabio’s wife also filed separate defamation cases against the senator, saying statements made about the family were harmful to their reputation.

The relationship between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan became more strained after she claimed he played a role in her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations.