BALKISU BELLO ALIYU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting at Uyo, delivered by Hon. Justice F. F. Obot on the 7th August, 2014 in respect of Suit NO. HU/439/2007 filed by the Respondent against the Appellants vide an amended writ of summons accompanied with amended statement of claim. The facts that gave rise to the suit as stated in the statement of claim located in pages 9 to 10 of the record of appeal are that the Appellants are the owners and publishers of the National Daily Newspaper with their registered office at Ikeja, Lagos State. The Respondent was a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State who served two terms of 8 years in office from 1999 to 2007 and was the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2007 Presidential election of Nigeria. He claimed that from the 27th August to 2nd September, 2007, the Appellants authorized and caused to be published in their National …