MOHAMMED LAWAL GARBA, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Uyo in the Appellant's suit No. HU/77/95 delivered on the 8/4/2011. The Appellant's case against the Respondents before the High Court was set out in the paragraphs 7 - 10 of the Amended Statement of Claim dated and filed on the 7/7/1997 as follows:-
"7. On the 13th December, 1994, the defendants and two others namely, Chief David E, Akpakip and Chief Okon Ndem jointly and severally falsely and maliciously published of and concerning the plaintiff;
A letter titled - Re: Petition, Factors Necessary for Peaceful Co-existence to the Chairman and Managing Director of Mobil Producing (Nig.) Unlimited, Victoria Island, Lagos. The said letter is hereby pleaded.
8. At pages 1 and 2 of the aforesaid fetter, the defendants made the following libelous statements against the Plaintiff;
(i) "That no good community as ours would allow someone with dubious behavio…