Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has hit back at her in-law, Judy Austin following a reported ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit filed against her.

Rita, in a post shared on Instagram, questioned Judy’s use of the title “Mrs Yul Edochie”, insisting that the only person she recognises by that name is May Yul-Edochie.

She wrote: “The only Mrs Yul Edochie that I know is Queen May Yul Edochie.”

Rita described Judy’s insistence on being addressed as “Mrs Judy Yul Edochie” as provocative and challenged her to produce her marriage certificate.

“Since you are insistent on being addressed that way, I would like you to present your marriage certificate highlighting the exact conformation of that weird name ‘Mrs Judy Yul Edochie’. Only then will I give further response to this very message,” she wrote.

The latest exchange follows reports that Judy has sued Rita over alleged defamatory statements.

A court document circulating online identifies Judy Austin Yul-Edochie as the claimant and Rita Edochie as the defendant in a suit filed in July 2026.

Rita and Judy have been involved in a long-running public dispute linked to Yul Edochie’s marriage to May and his subsequent relationship with Judy.

Yul publicly announced Judy as his second wife in 2022, a development that triggered reactions from May.



ID