The simmering online clash between Nollywood star May Yul-Edochie and U.S.-based influencer Yinka Theisen has boiled over into the courtroom.
May is demanding a staggering ₦500 million in damages, accusing Theisen of defamation, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The Cease-and-Desist Bombshell
On August 19, 2025, May’s legal team at Gray Law Partners served Theisen with a cease-and-desist letter, signed by Esther Chinaza Fijo, Esq. The document alleges that Theisen repeatedly published “false, malicious, and defamatory” posts, targeting May’s personal life and spurring others to join in the attacks.
The demands?
An immediate stop to all defamatory remarks.
A full deletion of past posts.
A public apology and retraction across all platforms.
A ₦500 million payout for reputational damage.
The letter gave Theisen 48 hours to comply or face both civil and criminal legal action.
Months of Bad Blood
This legal escalation follows a bitter digital standoff. Just weeks ago, Theisen accused May of orchestrating cyberbullying campaigns through her fanbase. She claimed her personal details were leaked, her children dragged into online abuse, and petitions circulated to threaten her livelihood.
In frustration, Theisen went viral with her fiery outburst:
“May Yul-Edochie, enough is enough… leave me alone!”
May has consistently denied orchestrating any smear campaigns, insisting she too has been a victim of online harassment.
Legal Crossfire
This isn’t May’s only fight. In a parallel case, she has also issued a ₦1 billion lawsuit against her former lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, accusing him of betrayal and weaponizing confidential information against her.
Together, the suits signal that May is determined to draw a hard line against online attacks—whether from ex-allies or foreign influencers.
What Next for Theisen?
At press time, Theisen has yet to issue a public response to the demands. With the 48-hour deadline looming, the ball is in her court: retract and apologize, or brace for a stormy legal showdown.
Meanwhile, social media is ablaze. Supporters praise May for taking a stand, while critics argue the lawsuits risk distracting from the ongoing family saga surrounding her estranged husband, Yul Edochie.
The Big Picture
What started as online shade has snowballed into a multimillion-naira legal war. With May flexing her legal muscle and Yinka standing her ground, Nigeria’s entertainment scene is bracing for what could be one of its most explosive defamation battles yet.
