May Yul-Edochie, the estranged wife of Nigerian actor Yul Edochie, has taken legal action against her former lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, and a US-based individual, Yinka Theisen, over alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and defamation. Through her lawyers, Graylaw Partners, Queen May claims that both Ugwuonye and Theisen made damaging online publications about her on social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and Facebook, which have harmed her reputation and business interests.
The cease-and-desist notices, addressed to Ugwuonye and Theisen, demand that they stop making such publications, withdraw existing posts, issue a public apology, and publish a retraction on all platforms where the statements were made. Queen May is seeking financial compensation of N1 billion from Ugwuonye and N500 million from Theisen.
According to her lawyers, Ugwuonye’s past dealings with Queen May have been questionable, including his handling of confidential information. They allege that he used privileged information to undermine her interests, breaching trust and professional ethics. The notice to Theisen also accuses her of amplifying harmful online narratives about Queen May and encouraging others to circulate them, deepening the reputational damage.
Both Ugwuonye and Theisen have been given a 48-hour deadline to comply with the demands. Failure to do so will compel Queen May to initiate civil and criminal proceedings to protect her rights and reputation. The legal action highlights the growing concern about cyberbullying and online defamation, particularly among public figures.
The case also raises questions about the responsibility of social media platforms in regulating online content and protecting users from harassment and defamation. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Ugwuonye and Theisen will respond to the cease-and-desist notices and whether Queen May will proceed with further legal action. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for online free speech and the limits of acceptable behavior on social media.
