Roby Ekpo: Ex-wife reacts, demands retraction within 48 hours, N100m damages

Mayowa Lambe, the estranged wife of Nigerian media personality Robert Ekpo, popularly known as Roby Ekpo, has issued him a cease-and-desist notice over statements he made concerning her.

The notice, dated April 22 and signed by K. Umoh Esq., was posted on the official X account of Yolanda George-David, founder of Aunt Landa’s Bethel Foundation on Tuesday.

It was issued on behalf of Mayowa through the foundation’s legal department, which focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and legal support of survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

It was addressed to Robert Ekpenyong Ekpo and demanded that he immediately cease further publication of alleged defamatory statements, pull down all related content across his platforms, issue a public retraction and apology via the same platforms used to spread the claims, and pay N100 million in damages.

The notice also warned that failure to comply within three days would result in legal proceedings, including claims for aggravated damages, injunctive relief and criminal complaints to appropriate authorities.

Third parties who spread the claims online were also put on notice.

The notice read, “You are hereby required to: Immediately cease and desist from further publication or repetition of all defamatory statements.

“Remove all existing defamatory content across all platforms.

“Issue a clear, unqualified, and public retraction of all false statements.

“Publish a full public apology to Our Client via the same platforms used to disseminate the defamatory content.

“Pay the sum of ₦100,000,000.00 as damages.”

The legal action followed Ekpo’s appearance on a recently released episode of The Honest Bunch podcast.

During his appearance, the comedian and radio presenter gave an emotional account of the breakdown of his marriage to Lambe, alleging infidelity, deception and financial strain spanning over a decade.

Visibly emotional, Ekpo said he only realised the extent of the breakdown in their marriage after coming across private messages in which his wife allegedly expressed deep dissatisfaction with their relationship.

He said the message, which he claimed she did not know he had seen, painted a picture of long-standing frustration and emotional disconnect.

“I don’t even care if he loves me or not because what can love do for me besides stress me? He isn’t taking care of me as a man should.Romance

“He isn’t satisfying me sexually. He isn’t helping my spiritual life. He isn’t spoiling me. He isn’t anything good… I have been coping with unsatisfying sex for almost three years,” he quoted.

Pausing repeatedly as he read, Ekpo said the words hit him hard, especially after years of trying to hold the marriage together from a distance.

“I’m 48 years old. I don’t have a kid… I started going for sperm tests,” he said, adding that he had believed they were both still working towards starting a family.

He also alleged that his wife had undergone a procedure in the US.

Ekpo said he was initially told the procedure was connected to fertility, but later suspected had been misrepresented to him.

According to him, one of the most painful parts of the experience was the financial commitment he made while she lived abroad.Family

“For six years she travelled, and I was sending money every time. I have receipts here.

“I would do a gig of ₦500,000 and send ₦200,000. I was even sending flowers, friends in the US helped me deliver them to her, he said.

Ekpo said despite his efforts, communication and emotional connection deteriorated over time, with physical distance turning into emotional separation.

“Since 2021, I did not see her again until last year when I sent her money to come back to Nigeria. I went to the airport with two cars to welcome her,” he said.

However, he alleged that the reunion was emotionally cold.

“I couldn’t even get a hug from her. We got home and she didn’t kiss me, she didn’t hug me. I slept in the living room for two days,” he said.

He further claimed that upon her return, she remained largely detached, while he continued to struggle with unanswered questions about their relationship.

Ekpo also alleged that during her stay abroad, she lived in a shared apartment with a male flatmate, which he said initially made him uncomfortable, but he tolerated.