90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? star Michael Ilesanmi has confirmed Angela Deem filed to annul their marriage, and he's asking for financial help from fans to fight his legal battle.
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Michael uploaded three screenshots of the court documents via Instagram Stories on Tuesday, August 13.
One screenshot showed part of Angela's Complaint for Annulment, and the second screenshot featured a summons Angela's lawyer had filed with the court on the same day, June 20.
The third screenshot showed a judge's June 24 order that Michael be served by publication since Angela claimed she had no idea where her estranged husband was staying or how to serve him in person.
According to Angela's Complaint for Annulment, Angela's grounds for annulment are that the Respondent, Michael, "fraudulently induced Petitioner into a marriage for the purpose of gaining legal permanent resident status in the United States."
Angela and Michael had lived "in a state of separation for 30 days" preceding Angela's filing, and Angela claimed that Michael abandoned her shortly after his late 2023 move from Nigeria to the United States.
"After respondent abandoned the Petitioner, Petitioner discovered that the respondent was engaged in a conspiracy with other Nigerian men to induce US citizens into marriage for the purpose of gaining legal permanent resident status," the complaint continued.
Since Michael's whereabouts were "unknown" to Angela in June, she also filed an Affidavit of Diligent Search, according to Starcasm.
"A diligent search has been made, and the Respondent cannot be found within the State," Angela stated in the affidavit.
"I do not know where the Respondent lives or where the Respondent can be found... [Michael] is not from this country and I do not have contacts for his family in Nigeria. He abandoned the marital residence in Hazlehurst, and he has not contacted me."
She added, "He only arrived in this country in December of 2023 so I do not have any information about his known associates."
A judge reportedly signed an Order For Service By Publication on June 21, and then the paperwork was officially filed on June 24.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOWMichael was given 60 days to respond from the date of the first publication of notice. According to Starcasm, Michael has yet to formally file a response in the annulment case and he's running out of time.
Despite his legal troubles, Michael has shared positive messages on social media, and he's apparently trying to look on the bright side.
Michael, however, said he needs financial help to cover the expenses of hiring a lawyer. He therefore announced via Instagram on August 13 that he had launched a GoFundMe campaign for himself.
"I could really use your help right now," Michael captioned a photo of himself wearing a "GOD GOT ME" T-shirt on Instagram.
"I'm facing some unexpected legal expenses, and any support would mean the world to me. If you're able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."
On the GoFundMe page, Michael set a fundraising goal of $50,000.
The Nigeria native wrote to his fans, "I have been put in a situation where I unfortunately have to ask for help. Due to the recent legal filings by Angela against me I must seek legal advice. I have obtained an attorney but the fees are expensive."
"I have a legal battle to fight and that fight will be expensive. I am asking all my fans to help -- whatever you can give I would deeply appreciate. I understand all of us are having hard times," he continued.
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Michael reportedly raised more than $8,000 in six hours, and as of Wednesday August 14, Michael has accumulated nearly $14,500 in donations.
90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?'s Season 8 Tell-All -- which was filmed early this year but only began airing on TLC on July 29 -- has featured Angela and Michael, who got married in Nigeria in January 2020, constantly fighting.
Angela didn't want to sleep in the same bedroom as Michael when the entire cast stayed at the same house in New Jersey, and she screamed at him about allegedly being a liar, a cheater and a scammer.
Many of the 90 Day Fiance cast members took Michael's side, claiming that Angela was treated him poorly and tended to be verbally abusive.
Shortly after the Tell-All was apparently filmed, Michael went missing from Angela's Georgia home on February 23. He had been living in the United States for just two months at that point.
"I love him, but I can't take him back because what he did here proves that he don't give a f-ck," Angela vented to 90 Day Fiance blogger John Yates at the time.
"Nigerians, people that backed him, get him a good lawyer because mine is $10,000 a f-cking hour."
Angela also confirmed that she never applied for Michael's green card following his December 2023 arrival in America.
"I didn't get his green card or his license and that's why he's pissed and that's why he's doing this," Angela claimed. "He's rushed me from the goddamn Day 1 he landed for his f-cking license and his green card. So now he's going for the legal visa, they'll give it to him."
Michael went missing for several days and was found on February 26, when he broke his silence on social media that he was okay.
John revealed that Michael had told the police "he was in fear for his life" and did not want Angela knowing his location.
Once Angela learned that Michael was seemingly hiding from her, she said, "I'm f-cking mad as hell right now. Tell the truth. I'm worried thinking he was hurt."
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Angela and Michael were first introduced to the world on Season 2 of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days.
Angela and Michael also starred on Season 7 of 90 Day Fiance as well as Seasons 5, 6 and 7 of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?.
The pair first applied for a visa in March 2020 but experienced delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A December 2022 episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? showed Angela finding out that Michael had been cheating on her in Nigeria. They split in early 2023 but later got back together.
Angela and Michael also starred on Season 1 of 90 Day: The Last Resort before he moved to the United States late last year.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
