Estranged wife of Nollywood actor demands removal of defamatory content, accuses ex-lawyer and others of sustained online harassment

Mary Yul-Edochie, the estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, has approached a Lagos State High Court seeking sweeping legal orders to shut down social media accounts allegedly used to harass, defame and cyberbully her.

In the suit marked LD/10737GCM/2026, filed through her lawyers, Jessica Egbafor and Esther Fijo of Greylaw Partners, the entrepreneur and brand ambassador is asking the court to restrain Yinka Omolola Theisen, Emeka Ugwuonye, and unidentified operators of multiple online platforms from making further defamatory publications against her.

May is also seeking a perpetual injunction to stop what she described as a sustained campaign of online attacks, as well as an order compelling the deletion of the disputed posts and accounts across Facebook, Instagram, X and other platforms.

Additionally, she is urging the court to direct the social media companies to disclose details of the account holders to aid investigations.

In a 126-paragraph affidavit, the claimant alleged that she has endured years of coordinated online harassment involving false allegations, doctored images, AI-generated content, insulting caricatures, and even death wishes aimed at damaging her reputation.

She further claimed that despite issuing cease-and-desist notices in September 2025, the alleged attacks escalated, with new accounts reportedly created to continue the campaign.

In a significant allegation, May accused one of the defendants—identified as her former lawyer—of breaching solicitor-client confidentiality by publishing sensitive information obtained during legal representation.

According to her, the alleged defamatory publications have negatively impacted her business, endorsement deals, and commercial relationships. She also stated that the circulation of her private contact details exposed her family to harassment and caused her emotional distress and safety concerns.

As part of earlier demands, she is seeking ₦1 billion in damages from Ugwuonye and ₦500 million from Theisen over the alleged harm to her reputation.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Abdul-Raheem Tejumade Muyideen ordered that all court processes be served on the defendants through their last known residential addresses, email contacts, and social media platforms.

The case has been adjourned for a service report.

The lawsuit marks a major escalation in the ongoing dispute, as May pushes for legal intervention to curb what she describes as persistent and damaging online abuse.