MR. ORJI ASAA V. MR. FRANK OJAH

ITA GEORGE MBABA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of Abia State in Suit NO.A/302/2008 delivered by L. Alabi J on 17/2/2011, wherein the trial Court awarded the sum of N1 million as general damages against the Defendant (now Appellant) for slander of the Plaintiff (now Respondent).

The claim at the court below was for:

(a) The sum of N4,000,000.00 (four Million Naira) being general damages... for the libelous publication of the Defendant against the Plaintiff.

(b) The sum of N4,000,000.00 being general damages against the defendant for slander by the Defendant against the Plaintiff."

A brief facts at the Court below showed that Appellant and the Respondent are natives of Amaeke Abiriba in Ohafia L.G.A. Abia State. The Community had a chieftaincy dispute and the parties belonged to the opposing camps. Sometime on 18/7/08 Appellant was summoned by some persons from Amaeke Abririba to the public hall, called Obu Ekpe Amaja Amaekpe Abiriba, …