Just Decided Cases

FRED EGBE VS THE HON. JUSTICE J.A. ADEFARASIN

Legalpedia Citation: (1987) Legalpedia (SC) 49214

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Fri Jan 9, 1987

Suit Number: SC. 71/1985

CORAM


KAZEEM

NNAMANI

KARIBI-WHYTE

ANIAGOLU

KAWU


PARTIES


FRED EGBE

APPELLANTS 


THE HON. JUSTICE J.A. ADEFARASIN

RESPONDENTS 


AREA(S) OF LAW



SUMMARY OF FACTS

The appellant sued the respondent for slander and damages suffered as a result of the slander of the appellant by the respondent.

 


HELD


The trial Court held that the two reasons given by the Appellant why time could not run against him, and his action could not be statute-barred, cannot apply and must be rejected. The action was clearly caught by section 10 of the Limitation law Cap. 70 Laws of Lagos State 1973 and, therefore, was statute-barred.

 


ISSUES


Whether the action was statute barred

 


RATIONES DECIDENDI


ON WHETHER DAMAGE MUST BE PROVED FOR AN ACTION IN SLANDER TO SUCCEED


‘Indeed, it could not in law say so because slander actionable per se does not require damage to be proved in order to ground the action. It is actionable without proof of special damage’ ANIAGOLU, JSC

 

 


CASES CITED


1.    PHILIPPS V. PHILIPPS And Other (1878), 4 Q. B. D. 127 at 134.

2. BERDAN v. GREENWOOD (1878), Ex. D. 251 at 255.

3. RE MORGAN, (1887) 35 Ch.D 492 at 496,

4. Turburville and Another V. West Ham Corporation (1950) 2 K.B.D. 208.

5. The Darley Main Collier Company v. Mitchell (1 886) 11 A.C. 127

 


STATUTES REFERRED TO


1.    Limitation Law Cap. 70 Laws of Lagos State 19732.     High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules Cap 52 Vol.111 Laws of the Lagos State of Nigeria

 


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