ADEBUKUNOLA ADEOTI BANJOKO, JCA (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): This Appeal is against the Ruling made in respect of a Preliminary Objection raised in Suit No HCL/16/2023, delivered by Honourable Justice A. S. Ibrahim of the High Court of Justice, Kogi State on 9th day of May 2024, which is contained at Pages 414-436 of the Record of Appeal.
The Brief facts of the Case that gave rise to this Appeal were that the Respondent, as Claimant before the Lower Court had instituted an Action for Defamation against the Defendant, now Appellant, seeking several Declaratory Reliefs as well as an Order of Perpetual Injunction and an Order for the Award of Damages.
The Defendant, now Appellant, had responded to the Claim by filing a Statement of Defence as well as a Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the Suit. The Claimant then filed his response to the Preliminary Objection.
Ruling was delivered on the 9th day of May 2024, wherein the Trial Cour…