Nollywood actress Judy Austin has filed a defamation lawsuit against veteran actress Rita Edochie at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, demanding N1 billion in damages.
Austin disclosed the development in a post on her verified Instagram account, where she shared a copy of the writ of summons filed against Edochie.
The suit lists Austin as the claimant and Edochie as the defendant.
According to the court document, Austin is seeking N1 billion in general damages over alleged defamatory statements.
The writ states that the claimant is seeking:
“The sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) only, as general damages for defamation.”
Austin is also asking the court to order Edochie to publish a full and unreserved retraction and apology in at least two widely circulated national newspapers and on her social media platforms.
The actress is further seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Edochie, her agents and privies from allegedly publishing or circulating the statements in question.
She is also asking the court to order the removal of the alleged defamatory statements from Edochie’s online platforms.
In addition, Austin is demanding N50 million as the cost of prosecuting the case, as well as 10 per cent post-judgment interest on any judgment sum until it is fully paid.
The court document shows that the suit was filed by Austin’s legal representatives, including Anozie Obinnaya Obi, SAN, alongside other counsel.
Austin accompanied her Instagram post with the words:
“Enough is enough!”
The writ also requires Edochie to appear before the court within the period specified in the document after it has been served on her.
The allegations contained in the suit are yet to be determined by the court, and filing a lawsuit does not by itself establish that the alleged defamatory statements were made or that they were unlawful.