D. IBEKWE, AG. J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The plaintiffs claim before the Lagos High Court in Suit LD/618/68 was for "damages for libel" contained in a newspaper known as the "West African Pilot" of 29th August, 1968 printed and published by the 2nd defendants, at the instance of the 1st defendant.
By his statement of claim the plaintiff (herein respondent) alleged that the defendants defamed him in that they falsely and maliciously printed and published of and concerning him the plaintiff, the words following which are set out in paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of the statement of claim:
"10. In the issue of 2nd defendant's newspaper, the West African Pilot, of 29th August, 1968 the defendants falsely and maliciously printed and published of and concerning the plaintiff on the front page the following words, that is to say
WARNING
IT HAS COME TO MY NOTICE THAT ONE ALHAJI ADO IBRAHIM OF 17 MARTINS STREET, LAGOS, AND OF 15 THORBURN AVENUE, YABA, LAGOS, TRADING UNDER THE NAME STY…