Akpabio withdraws lawsuits against Natasha, others to mark new year

Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the withdrawal of all pending lawsuits instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other individuals.

Akpabio, while addressing the public at a New Year Mass held at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the decision followed deep personal reflection and spiritual counsel, adding that he had earlier initiated multiple court actions against individuals he accused of defamation and making false allegations against him.

The Senate President 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 realized he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

It would be recalled that Akpabio had in 2025, filed several high-profile defamation suits, including one against his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

However, in late 2025, Akpabio instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and challenged her to substantiate in court, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, disclosed in a Facebook post, stating that the suit was accompanied by a court order issued by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, directing that she be served through substituted means via the Clerk to the National Assembly.

The order was issued on November 6, with the case scheduled to commence on January 21, 2026.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the legal action would give her an opportunity to prove her claims.

“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 wrote.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife had also filed defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan over claims she said were damaging to her family’s reputation.

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.

She had also challenged actions taken against her in court, including a ₦100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and others over remarks she said damaged her reputation.

With Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has moved to formally end all pending legal disputes arising from the defamation claims, signalling a possible closure to the widely publicised litigations as the new year begins.