HARUNA M. TSAMMANI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an interlocutory appeal against the decision of J.O Adeyeye, J, of the Ekiti State High Court, sitting at Ado-Ekiti. The Respondent as Plaintiff before the lower court had taken out a writ of summons against the Appellant (as Defendant) wherein he sought the following reliefs:
(a) A DECLARATION that the defendant's publication in the Sunday Champion Newspaper Vol . 20, No. 45 of Sunday November 11, 2007 at Page 5 under the Caption "AC DECRIES ALLEGED INTERFERENCE WITH COURSES OF JUSTICE IN EKITI" a paper which circulates in Ado Ekiti and throughout Nigeria containing the following materials and Statements against the Plaintiff....is defamatory and libelous of the plaintiff.
(b) AN ORDER for publication of apology, retraction and rebuttal of the libelous materials in the 1st defendant's "SUNDAY CHAMPION" Newspaper widely read National Newspapers for seven consecutive days.
(c) DAMAGES in the sum of N250, 000, 000, 00…