OGUNTADE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant, as plaintiff instituted an action against the respondent claiming the sum of Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred Naira being professional fees for services rendered to the respondent as a legal practitioner. The respondent in reaction filed a statement of defence and counterclaim which reads thus:
“i. N7 Million (Seven Million Naira) general damages for inducing and procuring the termination of the defendant’s employment by the United Bank for Africa Plc.
ii. N3 Million (Three Million Naira) general damages for
libel contained in a letter dated the 13th of March 1996 written and published by the defendant.
iii. An injunction restraining the defendant himself or otherwise from further publishing he said (sic) or any similar libel of and concerning the plaintiff.”
The trial judge Arasi J. on 26/7/99 in his judgment dismissed both the appellant’s claim and the respondent’s counterclaim. The respondent was dissatisfied with the ju…