Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed he directed his lawyers to withdraw all court cases he instituted against individuals, including senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti, over alleged defamation.
Akpabio spoke on Thursday at the New Year mass held at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The senate president said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against persons who, according to him, defamed and slandered his name.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals, against people who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name, and all,” he said.
Akpabio said a message delivered by the priest during the mass prompted a change of heart.
“But listening to the priest, I suddenly realised he was talking to me. So I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against me,” he said.
In December 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Abuja against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, over sexual harassment allegations made against him.
In February, Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an interview on Arise TV, alleged that the senate president made sexual advances at her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.
The lawmaker alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio. Akpabio has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Prior to the allegations, Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan had engaged in a heated debate on the floor of the upper legislative chamber over a change in seating arrangements.
