ITA GEORGE MBABA, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the decision of Abia State High Court in Suit No. Hu/9/2012, delivered by Hon. Justice S.A. Nwakanma on 18/2/14 wherein the trial Court found the Appellant liable for defamation and ordered the Appellant to pay ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) to the Respondent in damages and to apologise to her (Respondent), using the community means of disseminating information.
Appellant was the defendant at the Court below. The Plaintiff (now Respondent) had filed the Suit on 25/1/2012 claiming as follows, in a very terse Writ of Summons:
"WHEREAS the Claimant Claim (sic) against the Defendant
(1) An apology from two National Newspapers and one Local Radio Station in Abia State, two million naira only for defaming the Claimant by spreading false rumor, "That the Claimant Mary Ochulor stripped herself naked and threw herself on the ground on the 14th day of September, 2011."
The facts of the case, in brief, says t…