January 02, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the withdrawal of all pending defamation suits he instituted against several individuals, including Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing a personal decision inspired by a New Year homily.
Akpabio, on Thursday, during a New Year Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the sermon delivered by the parish priest prompted him to reconsider his decision to seek legal redress.
According to the Senate President, the defamation suits—numbering close to nine- were filed against individuals he accused of making false statements and damaging his reputation. However, after reflecting on the message preached at the Mass, he resolved to let go of the cases.
“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 solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them”, Akpabio said.
One of the suits affected by the decision is the widely reported ₦200 billion defamation case filed against Senator Natasha.
In December 2025, Akpabio instituted the suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja following allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senator had, in a February 2024 interview on Arise TV, alleged that the Senate President made sexual advances toward her at his office and residence in Akwa Ibom State—claims Akpabio has consistently denied.
Natasha further alleged that her challenges in the Senate began after she rejected the alleged advances. Before the allegations, both lawmakers had engaged in a heated exchange on the floor of the Senate over changes in seating arrangements.
The decision to withdraw the suits followed a homily delivered by the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Aka, and Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, the Very Reverend Father Donatus Udoette, who stressed the importance of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
“The greatest thing that man needs is peace. You have to let go of the past, no matter what it was. All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on”, Udoette said, urging parishioners to live in harmony.
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