MOORE ASEIMO ABRAHAM ADUMEIN, J.S.C. (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellants were the claimants in Suit No: ID/1606/2007 instituted in the High Court of Lagos State, holden at Ikeja. The respondent was the defendant therein. In paragraph 16 of the appellants' amended statement of claim, they claimed as follows:
"WHERE UPON the Claimants claim against the Defendant.
N5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira) as damages for libel commited(sic) against the Claimants by the Defendants for giving inaccurate and false reference about the Claimants' financial standing to Unity Bank PLC.
An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant by itself, its servants or otherwise from further publishing inaccurate and false reference about the Claimants to Unity Bank PLC or other companies or persons.
N100,000,00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as damages (sic) breach of contract for giving(sic) reference to Unity Bank PLC without the consent of the Claimants."
The appellants' claim was contest…