A High Court of Lagos State is set to hear a contested divorce petition filed by a United States-based Nigerian lawyer, Nnedimma Onyegbula, against her husband, Sonny Onyegbula, an employee of MTN Nigeria, with both parties making conflicting allegations over the breakdown of their marriage.
The case, marked LD/26404WD/2026, is before Justice O. O. Ogunjobi.
In court documents filed as the Petitioner’s Reply to the Respondent’s Answer to the Petition, Nnedimma asked the court to dissolve the marriage, contending that it has broken down irretrievably.
In her filing, the petitioner alleged that she was subjected to years of physical violence, emotional abuse, infidelity, financial manipulation and intimidation during the marriage. She also claimed that she was the family’s principal financial provider throughout the relationship.
The respondent, however, denied the allegations in his response before the court, maintaining that he neither abused nor neglected his wife or family. He described many of the allegations as false and urged the court to reject them.
You May Like:HRW Slams Sowore For Attack On Female Cops
Among the petitioner’s allegations are claims that the respondent physically assaulted her on several occasions during the marriage. She alleged that he grabbed her by the neck, choked her and lifted her off the ground during some of their disagreements.
The petitioner also informed the court that she lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. She alleged that incidents of physical assault occurred approximately three times each year during the marriage.
She further referred to an incident she said occurred in October 2012 after a visit to the respondent’s mother. According to her court filing, she lost consciousness during an altercation and was taken to The Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre in Lekki in the early hours of the morning. She also claimed she later received treatment at Eye Foundation Hospital for injuries she allegedly sustained.
The petitioner stated that she reserves the right to institute separate civil proceedings in relation to the allegations after the matrimonial proceedings.
The respondent denied ever assaulting his wife.
According to the petitioner’s reply, the respondent, in his defence, alleged that it was the petitioner who became violent during disagreements, claiming she damaged household items, including television sets, and physically attacked him.
Responding to that claim, the petitioner denied ever assaulting her husband, arguing that her medical condition made it physically impossible for her to overpower him. She further stated that their son disputed the respondent’s account during a conversation with some of the respondent’s friends.
The petitioner also alleged that another incident occurred in 2014 at the respondent’s family home involving the wife of one of the respondent’s brothers. She claimed the incident happened in the respondent’s presence and resulted in further medical treatment in the United States, including surgery later that year.
The respondent denied that the incident occurred as alleged.
In addition to the claims of physical abuse, the petitioner accused the respondent of emotional abuse, alleging that he frequently withheld affection, stayed away from home without explanation and made remarks about her appearance.
She also alleged that the respondent admitted to having extra-marital relationships in 2016 and made further allegations of inappropriate conduct involving domestic workers and her younger sister.
The respondent denied all allegations relating to emotional abuse, infidelity and inappropriate conduct.
On the issue of finances, the petitioner claimed she paid for the couple’s traditional and church weddings, family expenses, their children’s education and other household costs. She further alleged that the respondent moved into her family’s residence after their marriage and that her financial contributions toward the acquisition of a property were not reflected in the ownership documents.
The respondent disputed those claims, maintaining that he consistently provided for his family throughout the marriage and was not financially dependent on the petitioner.
The parties also gave differing accounts of events that allegedly occurred during their honeymoon at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
In her petition, Nnedimma urged the court to dissolve the marriage, insisting that the relationship has broken down irretrievably.
The respondent opposed the petition and denied the allegations against him.
Following the close of pleadings, Justice Ogunjobi adjourned the matter until October 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
