US-Based Lawyer Files For Divorce, Accuses Husband Of Cruelty And Abuse

A Nigerian lawyer based in the United States, Nnedimma Onyegbula, has approached the High Court of Lagos State seeking the dissolution of her marriage to her husband, Sonny Onyegbula, a staff member of MTN Nigeria, over allegations of prolonged domestic violence, emotional abuse, infidelity, financial manipulation, and intimidation.

According to Ireporter Online, the claims were detailed in the petitioner’s reply to the respondent’s answer in Suit No. LD/26404WD/2026 before the Lagos State High Court, where she is asking the court to dissolve the marriage on the grounds that it has broken down irretrievably.

In her petition, Mrs Onyegbula alleged that she was repeatedly subjected to physical assaults during the marriage, including being grabbed by the neck, choked, and lifted off the ground, despite her known medical conditions, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. She further claimed that the alleged assaults occurred periodically, about three times a year.

She cited a particular incident in October 2012 following a visit to her husband’s mother, alleging that she was assaulted in the presence of their children until she lost consciousness. She further claimed she was later taken to The Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre in Lekki around 3:00am, after which she was allegedly abandoned by her husband, before later receiving additional treatment at Eye Foundation Hospital for injuries sustained.

The respondent, however, denied all allegations of physical abuse, insisting that he never assaulted his wife and maintained that she was the violent party during disputes—claims the petitioner strongly refuted.

Mrs Onyegbula also accused her husband of sustained emotional abuse, alleging that he withheld affection during disagreements, frequently left the matrimonial home without explanation, and engaged in body-shaming and derogatory comparisons with other women. She further alleged that he misrepresented her health condition to relatives and took credit for her financial contributions to the family.

On allegations of infidelity, she claimed the respondent once confessed in 2016 to multiple extramarital affairs, including an alleged relationship with a pregnant married woman in Ikeja, as well as inappropriate conduct involving domestic workers and her younger sister. The respondent denied all accusations of infidelity and misconduct.

The petitioner also challenged claims that the respondent funded their wedding, alleging instead that she bore the financial burden of both traditional and church ceremonies, including rings, attire, and related family expenses. She further stated that she solely financed major household and family costs, including their children’s education, medical bills, accommodation, travel, and their son’s tuition at New York University.

She also alleged that she supported her in-laws financially, including paying rent for her father-in-law, funding his business, and purchasing the respondent’s first vehicle. The respondent, however, insisted he had consistently provided for his family and was not financially dependent on his wife.

In a further allegation, Mrs Onyegbula claimed she contributed ₦8 million toward the purchase of a property but later discovered that ownership documents named the respondent as the sole buyer, with subsequent revisions listing her only as a witness. She alleged that the respondent’s mother instructed that her name be excluded from the title to prevent future ownership claims in the event of divorce. The respondent denied any wrongdoing in the property transaction.

Mrs Onyegbula told the court that the alleged years of abuse, emotional trauma, infidelity, and financial disputes had irreparably damaged the marriage and worsened her health condition, urging the court to dissolve the union.

Justice O. O. Ogunjobi subsequently adjourned the matter until October 2, 2026, for hearing.