BRETT, J.S.C.
This is an appeal against the judgement of Alexander J ; in the High Court of Lagos dismissing the plaintiffs claim for damages for libel.
The plaintiff was at the material times General Manager of the Nigerian Railway. The first defendants were the proprietors, publishers and printers and the second defendant the acting Editor of the ‘Daily Express’ newspaper. The Statement of Claim set out the matters with which this appeal is concerned in the following terms-
‘3. On pages 1 and 6 of the issue of the said newspaper dated Monday, November 18, 1963, under the heading:-
Rail Board Rejects £1.8m. Deal
Chairman, General Manager Blamed for Fantastic Bid
the defendants falsely and maliciously printed and published or caused to be printed and published of the plaintiff and of him in the way of his said office and in relation to his conduct therein words highly defamatory and/or imputing a criminal offence contrary to section 98 subsection (I) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 42 Vol. 11 of…