Sketch Publishing Company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi

The case of Sketch Publishing Company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 100) p. 678 is one which is founded on defamation. It is often cited when discussing one of the crucial defenses a defendant in a case of defamation can put up. In Sketch Publishing Company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi, the Supreme Court of Nigeria explicitly explained the instances where it is possible for a defendant to use the defense of fair comment in defamation. The facts, Issues and Decision of the court in Sketch publishing company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi are given below.

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Facts of the case of Sketch publishing company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi:

The facts of the case of Sketch publishing company Ltd v. Alhaji Azeez A. Ajagbemokeferi are as follows:

Ajagbemokeferi (The plaintiff/respondent) was a renowned Islamic preacher based at Ibadan, Nigeria. His name Ajagbemokeferi, which means “his vocality and pagans has converted many to Muslim religion”, was given to him because of his enthusiasm in Islamic evangelical works. He was further conferred the chieftaincy title of “Otun Balogun Oniwasu” by the Chief Imam of Ibadan in August 5th, 1978. This made him the second in rank to the general of Muslim preacher.

The first defendant was the publisher and printer of a newspaper known as “Daily sketch”, while the second defendant was the editor and publisher of a monthly newspaper called “Voice of Islam”. In 1979, a publication of the Voice of Islam which was described as Almanac contained the photos of many eminent Islamic leaders including that of the Ajagbemokeferi the plaintiff. The defendants (first and second defendant) jointly printed and published under the plaintiff’s photograph the following words in Yoruba:

“Alhaji Azeez A. Ajagbemokeferi (Otun Balogun Oniwasu)

Oye yi je oye gegebi oye Adadale.

Ti Islam ko patapata. Egbo bi ANOBI

Ti wi ki ike ati ola Olorun ki o maba

Ina ni ile gbogbo Aladadale“

In English this means that “the chieftaincy title of the second in rank to the general Muslim preacher held by the plaintiff is a worthless and valueless Chieftaincy just like the chieftaincy to the title of impostors and contrary to the tenets and teachings of Islam. By the word “ANOBI” (Prophet Mohammed) woe betides such holders of such chieftaincy and their place is in hell after death.”

Following the publication of this work, the plaintiff instituted an action in the high court of Oyo state claiming 1million naira damage and an injunction for libel falsely and maliciously published of and concerning him. The trial court, per Ayorinde, J. found that the publication was actually defamatory to the plaintiff. However, he held that the comments made under the plaintiff’s photo were on a matter of public interest and a religious matter. The case was therefore dismissed since the defense of fair comment was sustained.

The plaintiff/respondent was not satisfied with the judgment of the trial court so he appealed to the court of appeal. The court of appeal allowed the respondent’s appeal and set aside the judgment of the trial court but remitted the case back to the trail court. Aggrieved by the decision of the court of appeal, the defendants/appellants appealed to the Supreme Court. Here the court reiterated the judgment of Ayorinde at the trial court.

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Issue:

Whether or not having regards to the facts of the case, the defense of fair comment was available to the defendant/appellant.

Decision of the court in Sketch publishing company Ltd v Alhaji Azeez A Ajagbemokeferi

The supreme court conspicuously promulgated that “in this case, the evidence adduced show that from the time the words complained of were allegedly published of and concerning the respondent, he was not avoided or shunned; nor was his status lowered in the estimation of right-thinking men of his community; nor was he exposed to hatred, contempt or ridicule. There was no evidence that the imputation on him in his office, profession, trade or business. He is still being represented as a prominent and respectful Islamic preacher by his local community. Therefore, the statement was not defamatory.”

On the issue as to whether the defense of fair comment was available to the defendant/appellant, the Supreme Court held that in order to succeed in a defense of fair comment the words complained of must be shown to be (a) a comment (b) fair comment (c) fair comment on some matter of public interest. Thus, the question as to whether a defamatory matter is a matter of public interest and therefore excused by the defense of fair comment depends on the facts of each case. In this case, the 2nd appellant is a prominent member of the Muslim organization called Mujaidunal Islam and is in fact the editor of Almanac in which the alleged defamation was made.

He therefore has a duty to comment on the conferment of the chieftaincy on the respondent as it was a matter of public interest. The publication, even if defamatory, is well covered by the defense of fair comment. The court went further to state that religious matters may amount to matters of public interest, the publication of or about which may validly avail as fair comment. The comment in this case is on a religious matter and therefore affords a defense of fair comments to the defendant.”

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