A legal battle is unfolding between Nigerian media personality Roby Ekpo and his ex-wife, Mayowa Lambe, after she filed a defamation suit and issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding a retraction of claims he made about their marriage.
In a cease-and-desist notice dated April 22, Lambe, through the legal department of Aunt Landa’s Bethel Foundation, accused Ekpo of spreading false and damaging narratives about her across public platforms, including podcast appearances.
The notice alleges that Ekpo engaged in a “deliberate and sustained campaign of falsehood,” presenting unverified claims about her personal life as fact, actions it says have triggered reputational harm, online harassment, and public ridicule.
Lambe is demanding that Ekpo immediately remove all allegedly defamatory content, issue a public apology and retraction, and pay ₦100 million in damages. The notice warns that failure to comply within 48 hours could lead to formal legal proceedings. It also cautions that third parties who amplify the claims online may face legal consequences.
Podcast Fallout Sparks Legal Action
The dispute follows Ekpo’s recent appearance on The Honest Bunch, where he spoke candidly—and emotionally—about the breakdown of the marriage.
During the interview, Ekpo made a series of personal claims, including allegations about disagreements over intimacy, fertility struggles, and financial support during Lambe’s time abroad. He also claimed he was shocked to discover her remarriage via social media.
“I woke up to videos and pictures of my wife on Instagram getting married to another man,” he said.
However, Lambe’s legal team disputes the accuracy of these assertions, maintaining that the marriage had already been mutually dissolved before her remarriage.
Private Dispute Goes Public
The former couple reportedly met on Instagram in 2015 and married shortly after a brief courtship, keeping their relationship largely out of the public eye until recently.
The situation escalated after Ekpo publicly discussed intimate details of the relationship, including claims that his former partner secretly used contraceptives despite fertility concerns—an allegation now at the centre of the defamation dispute.
Lambe’s legal representatives argue that the public airing of these issues has distorted the facts and unfairly shaped public perception in Ekpo’s favour.
They further allege that his statements have fuelled coordinated online attacks against her, amplifying what they describe as a wave of defamatory commentary.
Social Media Divided
The controversy has sparked intense debate online, with public opinion sharply divided between supporters of Ekpo’s account and those backing Lambe’s legal action.
Although public response has been deeply polarised, he has faced a wave of online mockery after his revelation with some social media users ridiculing him for his perceived lack of “stamina” and for being “weak” enough to be deceived for over a decade.
Others, including celebrities like Shade Ladipo, defended him, arguing that men should be allowed to speak about their marital trauma without being shamed.
While Ekpo has openly shared his perspective, Lambe has largely refrained from direct public engagement, instead posting messages that suggest she is focused on moving forward.
What Comes Next
With a 48-hour deadline in place, attention is now on whether Ekpo will comply with the demands, or contest them in court.
The case could test the boundaries between personal storytelling and defamation in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital media space, where private disputes increasingly play out in public view.
The Core Conflict
Ekpo stated that while his wife wanted sex every day, he is comfortable with once or twice a week. He expressed that at almost 48, attempting daily sex would be physically exhausting, famously remarking, “I would not have sex till I kill myself”.
These revelations are part of a messy public fallout where Ekpo also alleged that Lambe misled him about fertility issues and secretly used contraceptives.
What’s “Normal” at 48?
Medical experts claim that Ekpo’s preference for weekly rather than daily intimacy aligns closely with statistical averages for his age group. By age 45 they claim, the average frequency for men is roughly once a week (60 times per year).
In a study of married couples they hold, only 5% reported having sex four or more times per week, while 25% fell into the once-weekly category.
According to reports, testosterone levels naturally decline by about 1% to 3% per year after age 40, which can lower libido and increase the time needed to recover between sexual encounters.
Reports also reveal that several biological and lifestyle factors can make daily intimacy challenging for men in this age bracket:
- Erectile Changes: Approximately 40% of men over 40 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction, which can make frequent performance feel pressured or stressful.
- Lifestyle Stress: Heavy work hours, family responsibilities, and financial pressure are major “libido killers” for middle-aged men.
- Health Conditions: Chronic issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea—more common after 40—significantly impact sexual stamina.
The experts concluded that while daily sex at 48 is possible for some, Ekpo’s preference for twice-weekly intimacy is actually much closer to the physiological and statistical norm than a daily requirement.
