ENUGU: Nollywood actress Judy Austin has taken legal action against veteran actress Rita Edochie, demanding N1 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements made against her.
Austin filed a suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division, accusing Edochie of making statements she considers defamatory and damaging to her reputation.
The legal action comes amid a long-running public dispute involving members of the Edochie family and Austin, who is married to actor Yul Edochie.
According to the Writ of Summons, Austin is seeking N1 billion in general damages from Rita Edochie.
She is also asking the court to order the veteran actress to publish a full and unreserved retraction and apology in at least two widely circulated national newspapers.
Austin further wants the retraction and apology published across Edochie’s social media platforms.
In addition, the actress is asking the court to direct Rita Edochie to remove the statements she considers defamatory from all online platforms.
She is also seeking an order restraining Edochie from making or circulating any further statements allegedly defamatory of her.
The claimant is demanding an additional N50 million as the cost of prosecuting the case.
The court documents reportedly give Rita Edochie 30 days from the date she is served with the writ to enter an appearance, either personally or through a legal practitioner.
The lawsuit adds another legal dimension to the public disagreements surrounding Austin and members of the Edochie family, which have generated considerable attention on social media.
Rita Edochie has been publicly vocal about issues involving the family, particularly the highly publicised relationship between Yul Edochie, his estranged first wife May Edochie and Judy Austin.
Reports indicate that Austin has now chosen to pursue the matter through the courts, where the parties will have the opportunity to present their respective positions.
The filing of a lawsuit does not amount to a judicial finding that the alleged defamatory statements were made or that they were unlawful. Those issues remain for the court to determine.
As of the latest reports, Rita Edochie had not been reported to have filed a public response to the suit.
