US-based Lawyer Seeks Divorce, Accuses Husband Of Cruelty

A Nigerian lawyer based in the United States, Nnedimma Onyegbula, has accused her husband, Sonny Onyegbula, a staff member of MTN Nigeria, of years of physical violence, emotional abuse, infidelity, financial manipulation and intimidation.

The allegations are contained in the petitioner’s reply to the respondent’s answer to petition filed before the High Court of Lagos State in Suit No. LD/26404WD/2026.

Mrs Onyegbula is asking the court to dissolve the marriage on the grounds that it has broken down irretrievably.

The respondent has, however, denied the allegations in his answer to the petition, insisting that he neither abused nor neglected his wife and family.

In her filing, the petitioner alleged that her husband repeatedly assaulted her during the marriage, including grabbing her by the neck, choking her and lifting her off the ground.

She claimed the alleged violence occurred despite the respondent being aware that she suffers from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

According to her, the assaults became frequent, occurring about three times yearly.

She cited an alleged incident in October 2012 after a visit to the respondent’s mother, claiming that he assaulted her in the presence of their children until she lost consciousness.

The petitioner alleged that after taking her to The Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre in Lekki at about 3:00am, the respondent abandoned her at the hospital without ensuring she received proper care.

She also claimed she later required treatment at Eye Foundation Hospital for injuries allegedly sustained during the incident.

The respondent denied ever assaulting his wife.

He claimed in his defence that the petitioner was the violent party during disagreements, an allegation she dismissed as fabricated.

Mrs Onyegbula also accused the respondent of systematic emotional abuse.

She alleged that he regularly withheld affection as punishment during disagreements and frequently left the matrimonial home for days without explanation.

The petitioner further claimed that he body-shamed her, compared her unfavourably with other women and made remarks about physical features he preferred.

She also alleged that he manipulated relatives by portraying her as perpetually ill and financially dependent, while allegedly taking credit for her own financial contributions.

The respondent denied the allegations and maintained that he had always cared for his wife.

The petitioner also alleged that the respondent confessed in 2016 to having multiple extra-marital affairs while he was ill and feared for his life.

According to her, one of the alleged affairs involved a pregnant married woman whom he visited in Ikeja while the woman’s husband was away at work.

She also accused him of maintaining inappropriate relationships with female domestic workers and behaving inappropriately towards her younger sister.

The respondent denied the allegations of infidelity and inappropriate conduct.

Mrs Onyegbula disputed the respondent’s claim that he organised and financed their wedding.

She alleged that he was unemployed when they got married and was financially incapable of paying for the ceremonies.

According to her, she financed both the traditional and church weddings, bought the respondent’s wedding clothes, shoes and ring, paid for her own wedding ring and covered expenses for both families.

She further alleged that she funded major family expenses during the marriage, including the children’s education, family travel, accommodation, medical bills and the education of their son at New York University in the United States.

The petitioner also claimed she financed her father-in-law’s business, paid his rent for years, bought the respondent’s first vehicle and contributed significantly to the welfare of his extended family.

The respondent, however, maintained that he consistently provided for his family and denied being financially dependent on his wife.

The petitioner also alleged that after contributing ₦8m towards the purchase of a property, she discovered that documents prepared by the respondent’s family listed him as the sole purchaser.

She claimed that later revisions only listed her as a witness rather than a co-owner.

According to her, the respondent’s mother allegedly instructed him not to include her name on the title because she might claim ownership if the marriage ended in divorce.

The respondent denied wrongdoing in relation to the property transaction.

The petitioner told the court that years of alleged violence, emotional abuse, infidelity and manipulation destroyed the marriage and worsened her health condition.

According to The Nigerian Lawyer, she urged the court to dissolve the marriage, saying it had become intolerable for her to continue living with the respondent.

Following the exchange of pleadings, Justice O. O. Ogunjobi adjourned the matter till October 2, 2026, for trial.