KUTIGI, J.C.A., (Delivering the Leading Judgment) Before the Calabar High Court the plaintiff claimed jointly and severally against the defendants N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) being damages for libel contained in paragraph 4 of the Amended Statement of Claim.
It reads as follows-
'On the 5th day of September, 1977 the Defendants falsely and maliciously printed and published of and concerning the plaintiff in the way of his profession and office as head of Works Department , of the University of Calabar of Page 17 of the New Nigerian, the libel hereinafter set out namely ILLEGAL FINANCIAL DEAL UNCOVERED AT UNICAL.
An illegal financial transaction totalling about N500,000.00 has been uncovered at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Calabar in the Cross River State. Disclosing this to the New Nigerian in Calabar sources close to the Works Department '!lid thousands of Naira were being paid through Vouchers prepared In the Accounts Department of the University to an official of …