A. N. ANIAGOLU, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The simple issue in this appeal is the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to try the appellants on a three-count charge brought against them, in the said Federal High Court, by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, on 10th September, 1981.
The three counts were for:
(a) Seditious publication contrary to section 51(1)(c) of the Criminal Code Act Cap.42;
(b) Publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, under section 59(1) of the Criminal Code; and
(c) Publication of false news likely to disturb public peace contrary to the same section of the Criminal Code.
The full charges with their particulars read: and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 51(1)(c) of the Criminal Code. Cap.42 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
COUNT 1
That you, (1) the African Newspapers of Nigeria Limited, (2) Banji Ogundele and (3) Felix Adenaike, on or about the 28th day of July 1981, a…