Lagos, Nigeria – September 7, 2025 – Emeka Ugwuonye, a Harvard-trained lawyer and former counsel to Nigerian actress May Edochie, has publicly responded to a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by his former client. The lawsuit, initiated on September 4, 2025, accuses Ugwuonye of cyberbullying, defamation, and cyberstalking through damaging social media posts. In a video circulating online, Ugwuonye fired back, asserting, “Don’t tell me that May doesn’t know May Nation. She does,” referring to Edochie’s fanbase, known as May Nation, which he claims has harassed him since he withdrew from her divorce case in July 2025.
The controversy stems from Ugwuonye’s exit from representing Edochie in her high-profile divorce from Nollywood actor Yul Edochie. In a July statement via his law firm, Due Process Advocates, Ugwuonye cited relentless online abuse from May Nation as his reason for stepping down, claiming the harassment was worse than that from Yul Edochie’s supporters. “The persistent bullying and trolling originating from Queen May’s presumed supporters present a severe operational and ethical challenge,” he stated, as reported by Legit.ng. Following his withdrawal, Ugwuonye allegedly posted content that Edochie’s new legal team, Graylaw Partners, described as a “calculated assault on her reputation,” prompting the lawsuit.
The cease-and-desist notice issued by Graylaw Partners demands that Ugwuonye halt all defamatory posts, retract existing ones, issue a public apology across all platforms, and pay ₦1 billion (approximately $600,000 USD) in damages for the “severe and irreparable harm” caused to Edochie’s business, reputation, and safety. The notice, reported by Channels Television and Daily Post Nigeria, alleges that Ugwuonye’s posts incited third parties to amplify harmful content, endangering Edochie through “malicious threats and demonstrably false allegations.” The demands must be met within 48 hours, or further legal action may follow.
In his video response, Ugwuonye doubled down, accusing Edochie of being complicit with May Nation’s actions. He labeled her supporters “stupid” and warned men to be cautious if their wives are involved with the group, according to Newsflash Nigeria. “May knows exactly what her fans are doing,” he claimed, escalating the feud. The remarks have sparked polarized reactions on X, with some users supporting Edochie’s legal action, posting, “May is protecting her name and peace, as she should,” while others backed Ugwuonye, with one user stating, “He’s just calling out the truth about toxic fanbases.”
The dispute highlights broader issues of online harassment and defamation, a growing concern in Nigeria and globally, including in the U.S., where celebrities like Taylor Swift have faced similar legal battles over social media attacks. Edochie’s lawsuit underscores the real-world impact of online rhetoric, particularly when fanbases amplify conflicts. As the 48-hour deadline looms, all eyes are on Ugwuonye’s next move and whether this legal battle will escalate further, casting a spotlight on the intersection of celebrity, social media, and accountability.
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