ADEREMI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment in suit No. PHC/590/93: Mrs. Dibo Iboko v. First Bank of Nigeria Plc. and Anor. delivered on the 1st of February, 2002 by the High Court of Rivers State sitting at Port Harcourt.
The respondent who was the plaintiff in the court below had claimed the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) as damages against the appellants who were the defendants in that court jointly and severally for libel falsely and maliciously published of and concerning the plaintiff/respondent by the defendant/appellants in their letter dated 24th October, 1996 headed "SUSPENSION FROM DUTY" to the effect that the plaintiff/respondent fraudulently substituted FSB International Bank Cheque No. 126620 for N3, 128,500.06 lodged by RAP ANGA Commercial Services on 21/8/96.
The final pleadings filed and exchanged between the parties, with the leave of court, are the amended statement of claim, the amended statement of defence …