A. O. EJIWUNMI, J.S.C: (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In the High Court of Yola, holden at Yola, the plaintiff (now appellant) commenced this action against the defendant (now respondent) in Suit No. GGSY/11/89. By paragraph 15 of his Statement of Claim, dated 11th April, 1989, the appellant's claims against the defendant were as follows:-
"By reasons of the matters aforesaid, the plaintiffs was wrongfully detained in police cell, and deprived of his liberty, and has greatly injured his credit, character and reputation and portrayed falsely as an arsonic (sic) criminal has been put to contempt, ridicule to his family and the entire public and has been put to considerate trouble, inconvenience, and anxiety.
(i) An injunction against the defendant his agents, servants, privies however from further false malicious prosecution, defamation, or criminal allegation however against the plaintiff.
(ii) And the plaintiff claims against the defendant the sum of N500,000.00 (Five hundred th…