PIUS OLAYIWOLA ADEREMI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appeal is against the decision of the High Court of Lagos State, Lagos Judicial Division delivered on the 7th of October, 1999 in suit No. LD/256/86. The appellants who were the plaintiffs before that court had claimed against the respondents who were the defendants in the court below damages for libel published of and concerning them as follows:
"(1) N8 million (Eight million Naira) being damages for libel published of and concerning the 1st plaintiff.
(2) N3,105,000.00 (Three million one hundred and five thousand Naira) being damages for libel published of and concerning the 2nd plaintiff.
(3) An order of injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and/or agents from further publishing the said and/or similar words of the plaintiffs.
The alleged libellous words said to have been falsely and maliciously published of and concerning the plaintiffs (now the appellants) by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants (res…