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Yul Edochie, a popular Nigerian actor, has denied being legally married to Judy Austin, despite the fact that the couple has two children together. According to Edochie, their relationship exists solely to create comedy skits, and there is no legally recognized union between them.
Divorce Proceedings and Claims
This revelation is based on a statement and video address by Emeka Ugwuonye of Due Process Advocates, who is representing Edochie's estranged wife, May, in her divorce proceedings against him. May filed for divorce in August 2023, and the details of the court proceedings have remained confidential until now.
According to Ugwuonye, Yul, 42, claimed in court that he was not married to Judy as part of his defense strategy.
Court Case Setback and Revelations
The ongoing case at the FCT High Court in Abuja, which had been scheduled for a hearing on March 5, suffered an unexpected setback when the court session was cancelled. Yul and Judy allegedly claimed responsibility for this setback, prompting Ugwuonye to reveal the latest developments.
Citing Yul's filing, May's lawyer described how the actor denied his marriage to Judy, blaming previous reports of a traditional wedding ceremony on a fabricated story fueled by a blog's fondness for fake news and financial gain.
Skitmaking Relationship and Children
However, Ugwuonye stated that the relationship, which was described as a skitmaking endeavor, has resulted in two children, with a third on the way. Yul and Judy allegedly intend to argue that their social media content, including videos and posts, is part of their skitmaking endeavor, drawing comparisons to popular skitmaker Oga Sabinus.
Petitions and Responses
Ugwuonye shared May's petition and Yul and Judith's responses, highlighting their denial of a traditional marriage ceremony and claims of Gistlover blog's fabricated stories.
Adultery and Damages
Rather than charging Yul with bigamy, which could have resulted in his imprisonment, May filed for divorce and sought damages for adultery against Judy, Yul's alleged extramarital partner. This decision was made following their son's death and Yul's subsequent aggressive behavior, according to May's legal team.
May's attorneys emphasized that the case focuses on adultery and damages against Judy, refuting Yul and Judy's claims of a skitmaking relationship.
Yul Edochie's denial of being legally married to Judy Austin is significant for the following reasons:
1. Legal implications: If Edochie was still legally married to his first wife May when he allegedly married Judy, this could be considered bigamy in Nigeria. Bigamy is illegal in Nigeria and punishable by up to seven years in prison. By denying a legal marriage to Judy, Edochie may be trying to avoid potential criminal charges.
2. Divorce proceedings: May, Edochie's estranged wife, has filed for divorce, with adultery as one of the grounds. If Edochie can successfully argue that he was never legally married to Judy, May's adultery-based divorce case may be undermined. This is probably part of his legal defense strategy. The presence of children in their relationship, on the other hand, would be relevant to May's evidence of adultery.
3. Public perception: Edochie is a well-known actor, and his personal life has been heavily scrutinized by the public. By denying Judy a legal marriage, he may be attempting to shape the narrative and public perception of his situation, portraying it as less serious than a full-fledged marriage.
4. Financial implications: In the event of a divorce, a legal marriage may have significant financial ramifications in terms of asset division, alimony, or child support. By denying a marriage, Edochie may be trying to limit his potential financial obligations.
5. Cultural and religious considerations: Marriage and polygamy are deeply embedded in Nigerian culture and religion. Edochie's denial of a legal marriage to Judy could be an attempt to navigate these complex societal norms and expectations.
In conclusion, Yul Edochie's denial of marriage to Judy Austin is an important part of his legal strategy, public image management, and potential attempt to avoid criminal charges, financial obligations, and cultural backlash. It demonstrates Nigeria's complex interplay of law, celebrity, and societal norms.
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