Document background
A Defamation Letter Before Action is a crucial legal document used in Nigerian legal practice as a preliminary step before filing a defamation lawsuit. It is typically employed when an individual or organization has suffered damage to their reputation through false statements made by another party. The letter serves multiple purposes: it formally notifies the defendant of the defamation claim, presents evidence of the defamatory statements, outlines the resulting harm, and demands specific remedies such as retractions, apologies, or compensation. This document must comply with Nigerian pre-action protocols and is designed to potentially resolve the dispute without court intervention, though it also preserves the claimant's right to pursue legal action if necessary. The letter should reference relevant Nigerian legislation, including the Criminal Code Act and applicable state laws governing defamation.
