Emeka Ugwuonye, the lawyer representing Nollywood actress May Edochie in her high-profile divorce case against actor Yul Edochie, has officially withdrawn from the case due to relentless harassment from May’s fanbase, known as “May Nation.” The announcement was made in a statement released by his law firm, Due Process Advocates (DPA), highlighting the toxic environment created by some of her supporters that made effective legal representation untenable.
According to Ugwuonye, the abuse directed at his staff from May’s fans was even worse than what they experienced from Yul Edochie’s supporters. This ongoing cyberbullying and hostile behavior severely hampered the law firm’s ability to continue their work on the case. Despite withdrawing, Ugwuonye emphasized that May Edochie remains a remarkable individual and a victim of betrayal and forced polygamy in her marriage.
The statement further clarified that while Yul Edochie and his alleged partner Judy are central to the marital dispute, the aggressive online conduct of May’s followers exacerbated the situation, forcing the legal team to take the difficult decision to step down.
DPA pledged full cooperation with any new legal team May Edochie appoints to ensure a smooth transition. Ugwuonye also indicated plans to seek legal recourse against a leading figure within the “May Nation” group, operating under the pseudonym “Judy Obasiyul Austin,” for fostering the abusive environment.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing public and legal drama surrounding the estranged couple’s marital issues, highlighting the challenges posed by fan involvement and online harassment in high-profile cases. The future of May Edochie’s divorce proceedings now depends on her ability to secure new legal representation.