Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has responded to the N1 billion defamation lawsuit filed against her by Judy Austin, the wife of her nephew Yul Edochie.

In a recent Instagram post, Rita appeared to hit back at the legal action, sharing a lengthy message about marriage, infidelity, and the decision to stay in a toxic relationship.

Rita stated that submission is not servitude and that marriage is not a license for one person to repeatedly humiliate the other. She noted that while a woman may choose to stay, her decision should not be turned into a permanent contract to endure disrespect.

She also warned men who believe their wives will never leave, emphasizing that a woman can endure for years and still wake up one morning with absolutely nothing left to give.

Seemingly mocking Judy’s lawsuit, Rita Edochie stated that no one can stop her from talking.

Warning women about the danger of infidelity, she further added that if a proactive move is not made to end a man’s madness, he will one day bring other women into his home and make out with them on the matrimonial bed. She also stated that some women stay in marriages not because they love the humiliation but because of children, family pressure, financial realities, and societal expectations.

She wrote:
“Submission is not servitude. And marriage is not a license for one person to repeatedly humiliate the other. Anyway, if a woman chooses to stay, that is her decision. But let nobody turn her decision into a permanent contract to endure disrespect. And to the men who think a wife will never leave because of children, family or society, remember this: A woman can endure for years and still wake up one morning with absolutely nothing left to give. That is when you will realize that the woman you thought had no choice actually had one. She was only giving you time. I believe everyone has a breaking point. Stop tolerating a cheating husband even if he is your beacon of less.”

“Look for a way and stop Rita Edochie from talking MEEEEEE ? If a proactive move is not made to end his madness, he will one day bring those ladies into your home and make out with them right on your matrimonial bed. You will be too helpless to do anything at that point because you have no choice. Let me say it louder for those sitting at the back to hear, if you want to lose your sanity and your mental peace, accommodate a cheating husband because you know you don’t have means of survival or you think you love him and he will change “

“Look, some women are not staying because they love the humiliation. They are staying because marriage, children, family pressure, financial realities, emotional attachment, and society can make walking away far more complicated than people outside the marriage will ever understand. But let us also stop pretending that cheating is a small mistake that a woman must swallow forever just to prove that she is a ‘good wife.’ A man who knows his wife will keep forgiving him can become comfortable with disrespect and infidelity. Nne Gbanyelu Onye A Film Noww www… Ka o kilie, ka okweta na ona eme.”

“Today it is Chinasa tomorrow it is Nkechi next thing, he has turned infidelity into a lifestyle while expecting his wife to keep smiling, cooking, praying and playing the role of the perfect woman. No nowwwwwwww !!! Forgiveness is not permission. Patience is not stupidity. Submission is not servitude.”

“Any woman who accommodates a cheating husband doesn’t have a choice.”

The Nigerian Voice recalls that Yul Edochie left his first wife, May Edochie, for Judy in 2022, sparking a public feud between Judy and Rita, who has consistently criticized her nephew’s decision.

Rita has also made it clear that Judy is not recognized as part of the Edochie family.