A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until 24 November the defamation case filed by actress Judy Austin against her former husband, Emmanuel Obasi, and colleague Rita Edochie. The case, which was initially set for hearing on 29 September, was adjourned after the defendants acknowledged receipt of the writ of summons and hearing notice but did not publish retractions or apologies before the case commenced.
Judy Austin had sued Obasi and Edochie separately, demanding N1 billion in damages from each defendant. In the suits filed by her lawyer, Anozie Obi of Rubicom Legal Partners, Austin asked the court to order both defendants to publish full and unreserved retractions and apologies in two national newspapers and on their social media platforms. She also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Edochie, Obasi, their agents and privies from publishing or circulating defamatory statements about her.
The defendants have responded to the suit, with Obasi confirming the development in a post on his Facebook page. According to him, his lawyers told him that the other party’s legal representatives received his application challenging the court’s jurisdiction. Obasi stated that the proceedings went well, but he would continue to rely on his lawyers’ advice in allowing the case to follow due process.
Rita Edochie, on the other hand, alleged that Austin instituted the suit to silence her and prevent her from preaching morality on Instagram. Edochie insisted that her posts were not directed solely at Austin, but to also educate women on the dangers of taking another woman’s husband. She claimed that she authored all the content she published on her social media pages and shared it solely for educational purposes.
The legal dispute stems from a long-running public feud between the parties. Obasi has repeatedly accused Edochie of having an affair with actor Yul Edochie while they were married and of preventing him from seeing their children, among other allegations. Edochie has repeatedly denied the allegations, maintaining that her marriage to Obasi ended in 2013 and that she had no intimate relationship with Yul Edochie while she was still married to Obasi.
Footage obtained by Premium Times captured Edochie and Austin arriving separately at and departing from the court as the case came up for hearing on 29 September. The court proceeding was adjourned to 24 November 2024, with the defendants expected to file their responses and for the case to continue.
The case has sparked significant interest, with many following the developments on social media. Key points in the case include:
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the defamation case until 24 November.
- Judy Austin is seeking N1 billion in damages from each defendant.
- The case stems from a long-running public feud between the parties.
