In a dramatic escalation of their long-standing tension, Nollywood actress Judy Austin has initiated legal proceedings against veteran screen star Rita Edochie. Filing the lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, Austin is demanding a staggering N1 billion in general damages over allegedly defamatory statements made against her.
Austin made the legal action public by sharing a copy of the writ of summons on her verified Instagram account. Confirming her resolve to address the ongoing conflict, she captioned the post with a brief but firm message: “Enough is enough!”
Key Demands in the N1 Billion Lawsuit
The official court documents list Judy Austin as the claimant and Rita Edochie as the sole defendant. Aside from the massive N1 billion financial compensation for general damages, Austin’s legal team is seeking several other strict remedies from the court:
- An order compelling Edochie to publish a comprehensive, unreserved apology and retraction of the defamatory claims in at least two widely circulated national newspapers and across her social media platforms.
- A perpetual injunction permanently restraining Edochie, her agents, and her privies from publishing or circulating any further defamatory statements against Austin.
- An order directing Edochie to immediately remove all existing defamatory statements from all her digital and social media platforms.
- The sum of N50 million to cover the legal costs of prosecuting the lawsuit.
- A 10 percent post-judgment interest on the total judgment sum until the entire amount is fully paid.
Legal Representation and Next Steps
The court papers show that Austin has secured high-profile legal representation, with her case being handled by a team that includes Anozie Obinnaya Obi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), alongside other legal counsel.
According to the writ, Edochie is legally required to enter an appearance in court within the specified period once the summons has been officially served to her. This legal move marks a significant flashpoint in the public friction between the two figures, leaving fans and industry onlookers eager to see how the veteran actress will respond to the multi-million naira lawsuit.