The Senate President of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, has instructed his lawyers to drop all pending defamation lawsuits against individuals accusing him of false claims.
The controversies included a high-profile case against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over sexual harassment allegations.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday, 1st January, 2026, at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, shortly after a New Year’s sermon by Parish Priest Donatus Udoette.
The priest, also Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, urged congregants to embrace forgiveness, release past grievances, and let go of “luggage of pain and hurt” to move forward.
Visibly moved, Akpabio revealed he had nearly nine such cases in court.
“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,” he said.
Among the suits likely affected is one filed in 2025 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court against Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking N200 billion in damages, N500 million in costs, a public apology, and retractions in national newspapers.
Akpabio filed additional suits against her, while she denied the claims and countersued.
The Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, also sued Akpoti-Uduaghan for N350 billion over reputational harm.
The decision followed the sermon’s themes of love, reconciliation, and healing through forgiveness.