Nollywood actress Judy Austin has filed a defamation lawsuit against veteran actress Rita Edochie, demanding ₦1 billion in damages over statements she alleges have damaged her reputation.
The suit was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, with Austin sharing a copy of the court documents on social media alongside the message, “Enough is enough.”
According to reports, Austin is seeking financial compensation as well as a public retraction and apology over the alleged defamatory remarks. She is also asking the court to restrain Edochie from making further statements concerning her that could allegedly damage her reputation.
The legal action adds another chapter to the long-running public controversy surrounding Austin, her husband Yul Edochie, and members of his family. Rita Edochie, who is Yul’s aunt, has previously made several public comments about the couple and their relationship.
The latest dispute follows months of exchanges and criticism on social media, with Austin maintaining that some of the statements made about her are false and defamatory.
Rita Edochie has since reacted to the lawsuit publicly, questioning aspects of the claims and the identity used in the legal documents while challenging Austin over the controversy surrounding her relationship with Yul.
The court will now determine whether the statements complained of amount to defamation and whether Austin is entitled to the damages and other reliefs she is seeking. Edochie has not, at the time of the latest reports, been reported to have filed a substantive defence to the suit.
The lawsuit is the latest development in the highly publicised feud that has continued to attract attention within Nollywood and across social media.
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