Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits, including a high-profile case against Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, citing inspiration from a New Year Mass sermon.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo on Thursday, Akpabio disclosed that he had filed nearly nine suits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who 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,” he said.
In late 2025, Akpabio had instituted a ₦200 billion defamation suit against Akpoti‑Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and challenged her to prove it in court. Earlier that year, his wife also filed separate defamation claims against the senator, alleging reputational damage to their family.
Relations between the two lawmakers deteriorated after Akpoti‑Uduaghan accused Akpabio of orchestrating her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct. In response, she filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and others, claiming their remarks had harmed her reputation.
With Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending defamation-related disputes, including those involving Akpoti‑Uduaghan, signalling closure to a series of publicised litigations that dominated political discourse in 2025.
The decision, he said, was motivated by a call to forgiveness and reconciliation, marking the start of the new year with a gesture of peace.
The post Akpabio drops court case against Akpoti‑Uduaghan, others after New Year sermon appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
