GREGORY CHIDI OJUKWU V. J.S.O. NNORUKA

UBAEZONU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The respondent sued the appellant at the High Court of Anambra State in Onitsha Judicial Division claiming N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) as damages for slander. At the conclusion of the hearing the learned trial Judge, Olike, J., found for the respondent and awarded him N1.2 Million as damages and N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira) as costs. Against that judgment, the appellant has appealed to this court. The appellant has also filed his brief of argument and therein formulated three issues for determination thus:

"1. Did the Defendant receive a fair hearing in all the circumstances of this case in accordance with section 33(1) of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the old principle of audi alteram partem (Ground 1 of the Original grounds of appeal at p.28 of the Records).

2. Did the trial Judge comply with the principles in Mogaji v. Odofin in his evaluation of the evidence before the Court All (sic) be it the …