In a dramatic turn that signals a rare moment of political restraint, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his legal team to withdraw all pending lawsuits linked to his bitter dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effectively drawing the curtain on one of Nigeria’s most explosive political-legal confrontations.
Speaking publicly, Akpabio revealed that the decision followed deep personal reflection and spiritual counsel, marking a sharp departure from months of courtroom battles.
“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,” the Senate President declared.
The lawsuits, including a headline-grabbing ₦200 billion defamation claim at the FCT High Court, arose from allegations made in February 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during an interview on Arise TV. Akpabio vehemently denied the claims and responded with multiple legal actions against the senator and other individuals.
Several of those cases were already active and slated for hearings in early 2026, making the sudden directive a major de-escalation in a saga that had gripped both political and legal circles.
While formal court filings are still required to complete the withdrawals, the move is being interpreted as a calculated reset—one that replaces litigation with restraint and signals an unexpected pause in a feud that once threatened to dominate the national discourse.
For now, the courtrooms fall silent—leaving Nigerians to watch whether reconciliation, politics, or history will have the final word.
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