President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has launched a strong counter-offensive against Lagos PDP chieftain, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, threatening to take legal action over what he described as a “reckless and defamatory” statement labelling him a criminal on live television.
In a demand letter dated October 7, 2025, signed by his counsel, S. I. Ameh (SAN) & Co., Akpabio accused Pearse of deliberately maligning his character during an appearance on Arise Television’s political programme on October 4. The Senate President said Pearse’s remarks were aimed at destroying his hard-earned reputation before Nigerians.
Akpabio has given the PDP chieftain three days to retract his comments and tender a public apology across major media outlets — including Arise TV, Channels TV, AIT, and leading national newspapers — or face immediate legal action for defamation and criminal incitement.
The letter, titled “Demand for Immediate Retraction and Public Apology for Defamatory Publication Against Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON,” cited Pearse’s televised comments in which he allegedly said:
“If we get more women in the National Assembly and we have a Senate President like Akpabio, what is the point? … Akpabio should not be President of the Senate. He’s a criminal; he shouldn’t be there. He has cases in the EFCC — millions that he stole when he was governor.”
Akpabio’s legal team described these allegations as “false in every material particular,” saying they were made “in bad faith and with total disregard for truth.”
According to the letter, the broadcast — and its subsequent circulation on social media — caused the Senate President grave reputational harm, emotional distress, and public embarrassment, undermining confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly.
“Our client finds these assertions deeply offensive, defamatory, and malicious. They portray him as a criminal, corrupt politician, misogynist, and manipulator of democratic institutions — all of which are entirely untrue,” the lawyers stated.
They further warned that Pearse’s comments bordered on criminal defamation and public incitement, offences punishable under Sections 373–375 of the Criminal Code, Sections 391–393 of the Penal Code, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The counsel also reminded the public that freedom of speech does not extend to spreading falsehoods or making malicious attacks on another person’s reputation.
Should Pearse fail to comply within the stipulated time, Akpabio’s legal team vowed to institute full legal proceedings without further notice to enforce his rights and seek damages over the alleged defamatory remarks.
The Senate President’s move marks one of his most aggressive legal responses yet — a clear signal that Akpabio is not willing to let political opponents or television commentators tarnish his image without consequence.
Background
Senator Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and one-time Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has in the past faced various corruption allegations — all of which he has consistently denied. Despite political controversies surrounding his career, he rose to become the President of the 10th Senate in 2023, consolidating his influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His latest legal action appears to be part of a broader effort to protect his public image and reaffirm his leadership credibility.
