In a democratic society like Nigeria, the right to free speech and expression is a fundamental principle that is protected by the Constitution. However, this right is not absolute, and must be balanced against other rights and interests, such as the right of individuals and companies to protect their reputations from false or damaging statements. This delicate balance is at the heart of defamation laws in Nigeria. Under the Defamation Act and common law principles, a person can sue another individual or entity for defamation if they make a false or damaging statement about them. The law recognizes that defamation can cause real harm to a person's reputation and livelihood, and provides a remedy for those who have been unjustly harmed. However, the use of defamation laws can also be a double-edged sword. While defamation laws are intended to protect individuals and companies from false or damaging statements, they can also be abused as a tool to silence legitimate criticism. htt