JOHN INYANG OKORO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Honourable Justice A. Adeniran of the Oyo State High Court delivered on 30th March, 1999 in a suit which the appellant was the plaintiff and the respondent the defendant. In it the plaintiff, now appellant claimed as follows:
"The plaintiff's claim against the defendant is for the sum of ONE MILLION NAIRA (N1,000,000.00) being general damages for identifying the plaintiff as an armed robber that robbed his house sometimes in August 1996 and publishing to the Anti-robbery Police at Mokola, Ibadan, telling Akinfenwa Ifesowapo Landlord Association, Old Ife Road, Ibadan and some people at New Gbagi Ibadan that the plaintiff is an armed robber and that he was one of the robbers that robbed his house in August, 1996. Thereby the plaintiff has been defamed without lawful justification and thereby loses reputation, integrity and dignity".
Pleadings were filed and exchanged and the plaint…