MUKHTAR, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In the High Court of Lagos State, the plaintiff who is the respondent in this appeal claimed the following reliefs against the defendant/ appellant.
"(a) N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) being, damages for libel contained in the 'President Magazine' Volume I, No. 27 (of November 20, 1989) published and widely circulated by the defendant within and outside Nigeria.
Alternatively
(b) N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) damages against the defendant for innocently, negligently or deliberately and falsely misrepresenting (sic) or crediting to the plaintiff statements which the plaintiff never uttered and by reason of which the plaintiff has suffered untold damages."
The plaintiff's claim is predicated upon the publication involving the plaintiff carried by the President magazine published and widely circulated by the defendant who are the publishers. This publication led to the termination of the appointment of the plaintif…