The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn no fewer than nine pending court cases against individuals who allegedly defamed and slandered him, following what he described as a personal spiritual conviction inspired by a New Year homily.
Akpabio disclosed that the decision was taken after attending the New Year Homily at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, where the sermon focused on the theme of letting go of painful experiences to allow peace to prevail. He said the message resonated deeply with him and prompted an immediate directive to his legal team to discontinue all related lawsuits.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Senate President announced his decision to forgive all parties involved and to formally end the legal actions. The statement is reproduced in full:
“TOUCHED BY THE NEW YEAR HOMILY, I HAVE FORGIVEN ALL
After listening to today’s New Year Homily, at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, which dwelt on Letting Go of the painful past for peace to reign, I have decided to forgive all of them. I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me. I there and then, directed my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them. I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me and who slandered my name.”
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the cases, which span different courts, are in the process of being formally withdrawn in line with the directive.
The development marks a significant shift from prolonged legal confrontation to reconciliation and has generated public reaction, given Akpabio’s position as Nigeria’s third-highest-ranking public official. Analysts describe the move as unusual within Nigeria’s political space, where defamation suits involving public figures often drag on for years.. As the New Year unfolds, the Senate President’s action is being interpreted as a deliberate signal of restraint and a public embrace of reconciliation over litigation.
