A senior staff member of MTN Nigeria, Sonny Onyegbula, has been dragged before the High Court of Lagos State in a contentious divorce suit filed by his estranged wife, Nnedimma Onyegbula, a Nigerian lawyer based in the United States, who accused him of years of domestic violence, emotional abuse, infidelity, financial manipulation and intimidation.
According to court documents filed in Suit No. LD/26404WD/2026, Nnedimma urged the court to dissolve their marriage, arguing that it had broken down irretrievably due to the respondent’s alleged conduct throughout their union.
In her Reply to the Respondent’s Answer to the Petition, the petitioner claimed she endured repeated physical assaults during the marriage, alleging that Sonny grabbed her by the neck, choked her and lifted her off the ground on several occasions.
She told the court that she suffers from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia, adding that the alleged assaults occurred about three times each year.
Nnedimma cited an incident in October 2012 after a visit to her husband’s mother, claiming she lost consciousness during an altercation and was rushed to The Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre, Lekki, before later receiving treatment at Eye Foundation Hospital. She also informed the court that she reserves the right to institute separate civil proceedings after the divorce case.
However, Sonny Onyegbula denied ever assaulting his wife. In his defence, he alleged that it was the petitioner who became violent during disagreements, accusing her of smashing television sets and physically attacking him.
The petitioner rejected that account, insisting that her medical condition made it impossible for her to physically overpower her husband. She further claimed that their son disputed the respondent’s version during a conversation with some of his friends.
She also alleged that another assault occurred in 2014 at the respondent’s family home in the village in the presence of his brother’s wife, claiming the incident later required further medical treatment and surgery in the United States. The respondent denied the allegation.
Beyond the claims of physical abuse, Nnedimma accused her husband of emotional abuse, alleging that he routinely withheld affection, stayed away from home without explanation and made derogatory remarks about her appearance.
She further alleged that Sonny admitted to extra-marital affairs in 2016 and accused him of inappropriate conduct involving domestic workers and her younger sister.
The MTN staff member denied the allegations of infidelity, emotional abuse and inappropriate conduct, describing them as false.
On finances, the petitioner claimed she was the principal provider throughout the marriage, stating that she paid for their traditional and church weddings, children’s education, family expenses and other household costs. She also alleged that despite contributing to the purchase of a property, her interest was not reflected in the ownership documents.
The respondent, however, maintained that he consistently provided for his family and denied being financially dependent on his wife.
The couple also presented conflicting accounts of events that allegedly occurred during their honeymoon at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
Following the close of pleadings, Justice O. O. Ogunjobi adjourned the matter until October 2, 2026, for trial.
The court has yet to determine the merits of the allegations, while both parties continue to maintain their respective positions.
