Actress Judy Austin has taken veteran actress Rita Edochie to court over alleged defamatory statements, demanding N1 billion in damages.
Austin disclosed the development on Instagram, where she shared a copy of a writ of summons filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit identifies Austin as the claimant and Edochie as the defendant.
According to the court document, Austin is seeking N1 billion in general damages over what she described as defamatory statements allegedly made against her.
Beyond the financial claim, the actress is asking the court to compel Edochie to issue a full and unreserved retraction and apology.
She wants the apology published in at least two widely circulated national newspapers as well as on Edochie’s social media platforms.
Austin seeks permanent restriction
Austin is also asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing Edochie, her agents and privies from further publishing or circulating the statements she considers defamatory.
The actress wants the disputed content removed from all online platforms controlled by Edochie.
She is further claiming N50 million as the cost of prosecuting the case.
The suit also seeks 10 per cent post-judgment interest on any judgment sum until the amount is fully paid.
The writ was filed by Austin’s legal team, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Anozie Obinnaya Obi and other lawyers.
Sharing the court document on Instagram, Austin accompanied it with a brief message: “Enough is enough!”
The writ requires Edochie to appear before the court within the period stipulated in the document after being served.
The filing marks a legal escalation in the public dispute between the two actresses. The allegations contained in the suit remain claims by the claimant and are yet to be determined by the court.
