May Edochie, the estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, has demanded ₦1 billion in damages from her former lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, accusing him of defamation, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and breach of trust.
In a cease-and-desist notice issued through her legal representatives, Graylaw Partners, May alleged that Ugwuonye had repeatedly published damaging claims about her across social media platforms in a manner she described as a “calculated assault” on her reputation and safety.
The letter stated that his posts “transcend mere defamation, constituting ridicule, unwarranted and harmful behaviour, and malicious threats, while also spreading demonstrably false allegations.”
The notice further claimed that Ugwuonye created and managed online platforms, including a WhatsApp group, designed to circulate damaging narratives about her. He was also accused of unlawfully disclosing confidential information obtained during his dealings with her, allegedly using the material to generate income and content for his followers.
Her lawyers stated: “You deceitfully exploited our client’s unawareness, held yourself out in a fraudulent manner, and are now making illegitimate profit from her privileged information in addition to your defamatory publications.”
May’s lawyers argue that Ugwuonye’s conduct has aggravated the reputational harm she has endured, while his publications have emboldened third parties to spread defamatory narratives against her.
In addition to the action against Ugwuonye, a separate cease-and-desist notice was issued to a United States-based woman, Yinka Theisen, who was accused of amplifying defamatory content online.
May is seeking ₦500 million in damages from Theisen, alongside her ₦1 billion demand from Ugwuonye.
Both notices gave the recipients 48 hours to withdraw the publications, issue a public apology and retraction, and provide compensation, or face civil and criminal proceedings.
Ugwuonye once positioned himself as May’s legal adviser during her marital troubles. Over the past months, his social media posts targeting May have sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of deliberately attempting to tarnish her reputation.
