A lawyer identified as Atanda has reacted to Nollywood actress Judy Austin’s decision to sue veteran actress Rita Edochie and her ex-husband, Emmanuel Obasi, over alleged defamation.
The legal practitioner described Austin’s decision to seek legal redress as the “right way to go about it,” saying the actress should allow the courts to resolve the matter instead of engaging in an “unending online drama.”
He wrote:
“Yes. This is the Right way to go about it.
“I am happy that JUDY AUSTIN took the right steps instead of engaging in an unending online drama.”
Lawyer Explains Why Rita Edochie Could Face Court Battle
According to the lawyer, Austin’s suit against Rita Edochie reportedly seeks N1 billion in general damages, a public apology in a newspaper and on social media, the removal of alleged defamatory posts and N50 million as legal costs.
He argued that Rita Edochie had no direct business with Austin, noting that her brother, Yul Edochie, was an adult capable of making his own decisions.
He wrote:
“RITA EDOCHIE has no business with JUDY AUSTIN in the first place.
“Your brother who is an Adult under the law, made a decision to have Judy Austin as his baby mama. You as the sister has no right to tell him what to do and what not to, he is an Adult and has a life of his own and he can live the way he wants provided he is not doing anything against the law.”
The lawyer added that repeatedly calling out Austin publicly could amount to defamation if the claims made against her could not be substantiated.
He said:
“Calling out JUDY AUSTIN often when you have no direct business with her is an attempt to ridicule her and it can be considered as defamation under the law.
“I hope you can defend your claims too when you get to court.”
He Weighs In on May Edochie’s Marriage
The lawyer also addressed the controversy involving Yul Edochie’s first wife, May Edochie.
According to him, if May had concerns about her husband’s alleged infidelity, she could choose to take legal action herself.
He questioned why other people were getting involved in the marital dispute.
“Why are other people taking panadol over her own headache. The lawyer argued that May should be allowed to make her own decisions about her marriage, “ he said. “She doesn’t want to divorce YUL and i guess she has her own reason and people should let JUDY be since MAY refuse to take legal action.”
Lawyer Advises Obasi to Use the Courts
The legal practitioner also reacted to the allegations made by Austin’s former husband, Emmanuel Obasi.
He claimed that Austin had sued Obasi for defamation but noted that details of the suit were not publicly available because Obasi had only shared a video showing court officials delivering the documents to him.
The lawyer said Obasi could have approached the court if he had concerns about his children rather than making allegations online.
He stated:
“MR OBASI
“The court is there for you to seek for access to your ch1Ldren but you choose to rant online and you should know there are legal consequences for ranting online and i hope you can defend your ranting with evidence to save you from the Defamation suit against you.”
‘The Law Is Not Emotional’
The lawyer concluded by warning people involved in the dispute that allegations made publicly could have legal consequences.
He stressed that anyone making claims against another person should be prepared to provide evidence to support them in court.
He said:
“The law is not emotional and if you allege anything, you must prove it or face the legal consequence involved.
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
See below;
