Nollywood actress Judy Austin has filed two separate lawsuits against her former husband, Emmanuel Obasi, and veteran actress Rita Edochie, tied to her marriage to actor Yul Edochie.
Austin filed a N1 billion suit against Obasi over what she describes as months of damaging public allegations about her relationship with Yul Edochie. Austin has said her marriage to Obasi ended in 2013 and that no romantic relationship with Edochie existed while the two were still married. The couple shares two children.
A video circulating online shows the moment a court messenger served Obasi with the legal documents. In the clip, Obasi confirms receipt and notes that the case is scheduled for hearing on September 29.
Separately, Austin filed a writ of summons against Rita Edochie, Yul Edochie’s aunt, seeking N50 million in damages. Through her lawyers, Austin is asking for a public retraction and apology, an order barring further statements, removal of previous posts, and 10 percent post-judgment interest on any sum awarded. She shared both legal documents on her Instagram page on Tuesday.
Rita Edochie addressed the summons in a post on Instagram, focusing on the name used to identify Austin in the document: “Mrs Judith Yul-Edochie.” Rita wrote that she does not recognize the name and said, “the only Mrs Yul Edochie that I know is Queen May Yul Edochie.”
She said she would not respond further until Austin produces a marriage certificate confirming the name. “I would like you to present your marriage certificate,” she wrote, addressing Austin directly.
In an earlier post responding to news of the N1 billion suit against Obasi, Rita said she would not be silenced. “Look for a way and stop Rita Edochie from talking,” she wrote. She used the post to speak about women who remain in marriages despite repeated infidelity, writing that forgiveness should not be mistaken for permission and that patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
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Rita has been an outspoken supporter of May Edochie, Yul Edochie’s first wife, since Yul introduced Austin as his second wife in 2022.
The dispute between Judy Austin and Edochie’s family has played out publicly for several months. Rita Edochie has previously criticized Austin’s comments on Igbo cultural traditions, including remarks about who may wear certain traditional red caps.
Judy Austin has not issued a new public statement beyond the legal filings as of Tuesday afternoon.
