Respondents/cross appellant sued the appellants for N10m (ten million Naira) as general damages for libel.

The respondent’s company B. B. Apugo & Sons were indebted to the appellant bank and they instructed their auctioneers to sell the property of the respondent secured with them to liquidate the debt. The auctioneers notice rather than refer to the company, published the name of the appellant personally. The trial judge upheld the claim granting N2m damages. The plaintiff appealed. The decision of the trial court was affirmed but the damages was reduced to N250,000. Both parties have appealed to the Supreme Court – the respondent appealed against the damages.