Godswill Akpabio, president of the senate, has directed his legal team to discontinue all ongoing defamation suits against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi central senatorial district and other individuals.
Akpabio disclosed this decision while speaking during a New Year service held at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
He said he had previously filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
According to him, his resolve changed after listening to a sermon delivered by the priest during the church service.
He explained that the message of the sermon moved him to forgive those involved in the disputes.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me and slandered my name. But as I listened to the priest, I suddenly realised he was speaking to me.
“Therefore, I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” Akpabio said.
AKPABIO, WIFE’S LAWSUITS AGAINST NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN
Akpabio, had recently filed a defamation suit against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over allegations of sexual harassment she levelled against him in February.
The suit was filed on 25 August 2025 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, by his counsel, S. I. Ameh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Mr Akpabio is demanding ₦200 billion in general damages, ₦500 million as litigation costs, as well as a public apology and formal retraction of the allegations in national newspapers.
Marked CV/3356/2025, the case argues that the allegation severely damaged the senate president’s reputation and exposed him to public ridicule.
The statement of claim was accompanied by a list of witnesses who said the accusation made them perceive Mr Akpabio as someone who exploits his position for personal gratification.
Additionally, the senate president asked the court to restrain Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from publishing further libellous statements against him and to award ₦500 million as the cost of litigation.
In March 2025, the senate president’s wife, Ekaette, also instituted two defamation suits against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan over the same sexual harassment allegations.
The suits, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked CV/814/25 and CV/816/25, sought ₦250 billion and ₦100 billion respectively in general damages. Mrs Akpabio claimed the allegations had caused her and her children emotional and psychological trauma, adding that her family had been living in constant fear and under threats since the claims became public.
She urged the court to declare the allegations defamatory and a violation of her husband’s fundamental rights, restrain Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family, and compel a formal written retraction and unconditional apology to the senate president to be published in two national newspapers. She also asked the court to award a total of ₦350 billion in damages as compensation.
BACKGROUND TO THE ALLEGATION
The sexual harassment allegation followed a heated exchange between Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Akpabio during the Senate plenary on 20 February over the relocation of her assigned seat.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for investigation.
During the committee’s hearing, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent, while the sergeant-at-arms and several senators testified in support of the senate president regarding her conduct at the plenary.
While the committee was still reviewing the matter, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television on 28 February, where she accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment.
She alleged that during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on 8 December 2023, he held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate advances towards her, even in the presence of her husband.
She further claimed that Mr Akpabio insinuated that she should “take care of him” if she wanted her motions to receive favourable consideration on the floor of the Senate.
The allegations generated widespread public reaction, including responses from international organisations such as the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
On 6 March, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement during the 20 February plenary. She has since resumed her legislative duties, although several lawsuits arising from the controversy remain pending before the courts.
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