EDDY I. ONAH V. SCHLUMBERGER (NIG) LTD & MR. PHILIP MAQUET

RHODES-VIVOUR JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): Proceedings leading on to this appeal were first instituted in a Port-Harcourt High Court, Rivers State of Nigeria. Osu J presided and in that court, the plaintiff/appellant claimed as per paragraph 21 of his amended statement of claim:

(a) The sum of N7,000,000.00 (seven million naira) being general damages for libel contained in the letter dated 2 March 1992 written and published or caused to be written and published by the defendants’ and concerning the plaintiff captioned threats from the manager of Chilked Security Services.

(b) An injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and/or agents from writing and publishing or causing to be written and published any similar libel of and concerning the plaintiff.

The plaintiff is the Managing Director of Chilkied Security Services and Dog Farms Ltd, while the 2nd respondent is the Head of Administration of the 1st respondent. The 1st respondent awarded a contract to the plaintiff. T…