The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all pending lawsuits instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other individuals.
This mark a dramatic turn in a series of high-profile legal battles that dominated public discourse in 2025.
Akpabio disclosed this decision while speaking at a New Year Mass held at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said the move followed deep personal reflection and spiritual counsel received during the service.
According to the Senate President, he had earlier initiated several court actions against individuals he accused of defamation, false allegations and character assassination.
However, he said the message delivered by the priest at the Mass prompted a change of heart.
Akpabio said: “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.”
In 2025, Akpabio filed multiple defamation suits, including a ₦200 billion lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The suit stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment made against him, which Akpabio denied and challenged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife had also instituted defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of making claims she said were damaging to the family’s reputation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously confirmed that the ₦200 billion defamation suit was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In a Facebook post in December 2025, she disclosed that the court, presided over by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, ordered that she be served through substituted means via the Clerk to the National Assembly.
The case was scheduled to commence on January 21, 2026.
“Today, being the 5th day of December, 2025, I’m in receipt of the newly instituted ₦200 billion suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio claiming defamation on sexual harassment,” she had written, adding that the legal action would give her the opportunity to prove her claims.
Relations between the two lawmakers deteriorated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
