MUSDAPHER, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Atta was the plaintiff before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, wherein in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/209/84, he instituted the action by Writ of Summons dated the 18th day of May, 1994 against Newswatch Communications Ltd., the printer and publisher of a popular magazine known as the Newswatch as the defendant. The plaintiff's claims were as follows:
1. The sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million Naira) being damages for its libel published by the defendant of and concerning the plaintiff in the Newswatch magazine Volume 19 Number II of 14th March, 1994 at page 7 under the story titled fruits of his "Labour", particularly the following words:
"There is this little story about him making rounds in Kam Salem House which we thought Ajudua would like to hear. He is said to be a very close friend of the former I.G. Aliyu Atta. One day the story goes, Ana was holding a meeting with top Police Offic…