Emmanuel Obasi, the estranged husband of actress Judy Austin, has responded to the defamation lawsuit filed against him, saying he is not worried about the legal battle. On Tuesday, Austin sued her ex-husband Obasi and sister-in-law Rita Edochie for allegedly publishing “defamatory statements” about her. She is seeking over N1 billion each from the pair in general damages.
Obasi Sees Lawsuit as Opportunity to Reconnect with Children
Obasi said he sees the lawsuit as a rare opportunity to reconnect with his children, whom he claims he has not seen in over a decade. Speaking in an interview with TheCable Lifestyle, Obasi revealed that he had already been informed about the suit before it became public. According to him, the development brought a sense of hope rather than fear.
“I’ve gotten the information a while back. I’m happy that she sued me because at least I’ll be able to see my kids after over 12 years,” he said.
Court Date Offers Hope for Reunion
Obasi explained that he expects the children to appear in court once the hearing begins in September. The businessman suggested that the legal proceedings could become his first opportunity in years to see them face-to-face. The latest development comes after Obasi previously alleged in 2024 that he had been denied access to their children for over 10 years, following Austin's relationship and eventual marriage to actor Yul Edochie.
Rita Edochie Defends Emmanuel Obasi
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie defended Emmanuel Obasi after he broke down in tears during a recent interview on the Honest Bunch podcast. She explained that his emotional display resulted from years of severe frustration and intimidation regarding his denied access to the 3 children from his previous marriage. The veteran actress clarified that Obasi often travelled to Enugu to see his kids, only to face continuous heartbreak when his former wife ignored him. The lawsuit is scheduled to begin in September, and Obasi remains hopeful that the court proceedings will finally allow him to see his children after more than a decade of separation.
