‘Stop Calling Yourself Second Wife Until Divorce Is Final’- Rita Edochie Fires Warning at Judy Austin

Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has warned Judy Austin against referring to herself as a “second wife” while Yul Edochie’s first statutory marriage remains legally intact.

Rita, who has been vocal about the controversy surrounding Yul and Judy’s relationship, made the remarks in a lengthy social media post while discussing the legal implications of a subsisting statutory marriage.

“I MUST ENTER THE AJAH MANSION BY FIRE BY THUNDER…. YOU WISH😂😂😂😂😂😂…… DESPERATION CAN MAKE YOU IGNORE THE RED FLAG……….”

She continued by directly addressing the issue of being described as a second wife.

“STOP CALLING YOURSELF A “SECOND WIFE” WHEN THE MAN HAS NOT LEGALLY DIVORCED HIS FIRST WIFE YOUR FEELINGS , HIS PROMISES , AND YOUR IGNORANCE OF THE LAW DO NOT MAKE AN INVALID MARRIAGE VALID ! 👌.”

Rita argued that a man who has contracted a statutory marriage cannot simply declare the relationship over and proceed to contract another marriage under the same law without first dissolving the existing marriage.

“A MAN WHO HAS CONTRACTED A STATUTORY MARRIAGE CANNOT SIMPLY DECIDE THAT THE MARRIAGE IS OVER AND MOVE ON TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN UNDER THE SAME LAW . UNTIL THE FIRST MARRIAGE IS PROPERLY DISSOLVED , IT REMAINS A SUBSISTING MARRIAGE . LIVING APART , FIGHTING , STOPPING COMMUNICATION OR EVEN HAVING CHILDREN WITH ANOTHER WOMAN DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY END IT .”

She also maintained that a man’s assurances or the acceptance of his family do not determine the legal status of a marriage.

“HIS FAMILY ACCEPTING YOU DOES NOT MAKE IT LEGAL EITHER . EVEN A GRAND WEDDING CEREMONY CANNOT SIMPLY ERASE AN EXISTING STATUTORY MARRIAGE . A MAN’S PROMISE IS NOT A DIVORCE DECREE .”

Rita further cautioned against relying on emotions when discussing the legal status of a marriage, stressing that the law considers the status of the existing marriage rather than private claims about who a man considers his “real wife.”

She also addressed claims concerning inheritance, noting that succession does not automatically depend on whether a woman is regarded as a first or second wife.

“IT IS WRONG TO SIMPLY SAY THAT THE SECOND WOMAN AUTOMATICALLY INHERITS NOTHING WHILE THE FIRST WIFE AUTOMATICALLY INHERITS EVERYTHING . SUCCESSION CAN DEPEND ON A WILL , THE APPLICABLE LAW , OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY , CHILDREN AND OTHER LEGAL CIRCUMSTANCES .”

Rita concluded by urging women to establish the legal status of a man’s existing marriage before accepting the title of “second wife.”

Her comments sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting her position while others mocked her continued involvement in the controversy.

@grace.chris.33: Rita is getting mad already…this law suit really pain am 😂😂🤣🤣

@nnannakalu.joe: This matter don turn content for mama Rita. 🤣

@idair.cecilia: Ofcourse you become a second wife when the first wife is still legally married to the man and if she is divorced ,you become his only wife.

@61586810454116: Momma ❤️🥰 e don do naw save this energy till 29th of next month

@Ag Nancy Jakob: Is Rita Edochie a lawyer now ABI na lawsuit cause this one? 🙄🙄🙄

@dialectacademybyEmamoke: Like play like play, she don turn relationship coach or speaker oh 😆😆. Hmmm 🤔🧐 of……..

@bufuoma: Warns or she’s directing that comment to you know who 🫣?

@mma.ijeoma1: Second wife Hire purchase 😆😆 God abeg .

@Miranezzz: She is a content creator ,period

@alangi.lindah: Rita is looking for money for court by fire 🔥 by thunder ⚡🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@jacob.nelson.861838: Story

@osaratin gist tv backup: is madam may still coming back lol. so no man for outside again

@kingsley.onunwa: Old hag

@adinam.annabelle: Marriage therapist 😂😂

@Bb4stanley: True

@favour.mma.igwekamma: Gbam

@paulineprecious01: Gbamsolutely 💯

@profile.php: Mama tell them

@umarunyoaba.bilikisu: Old Cargo Rest 🤣😂😂and allow the Court to do their job 🙌

@elsie.erehida.5: Imagine having this woman as your mother in law….lol. 😂