Abuja Court to deliver judgment in DSS staff N5.5bn suit against SERAP May 5
High Court to Deliver Judgment in N5.5 Billion Defamation Case
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has scheduled May 5 for a judgment in a defamation suit amounting to N5.5 billion. The case involves two operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who have filed against the non-governmental organization Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Justice Halilu Yusuf announced the date for the judgment following a hearing on Monday. During this hearing, arguments were presented on February 19, at which time Justice Yusuf indicated the decision date would be communicated later.
In the case, marked CV/4547/2024, the DSS operatives allege that SERAP made false claims about an incident in which they purportedly invaded the organization’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024. The suit identifies SERAP as the first defendant and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as the second.
Counsel for the DSS, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, urged the court to grant relief to his clients, arguing that although the claimants’ names were not explicitly mentioned in the allegedly defamatory materials, sufficient context had been established to identify them as the subjects of the publication.
Conversely, SERAP’s attorney, Victoria Bassey from Tayo Oyetibo SAN’s law firm, countered that the claimants had not sufficiently proven they were the individuals referred to in the disputed material. She maintained that the publication referred generically to “DSS officials,” suggesting that more specific identification was necessary for their case to succeed.
Oluwatosin Adefioye, representing the second defendant, echoed this sentiment, stating that since no specific individuals were named in the SERAP publication, the claimants would need to demonstrate special circumstances linking them to the alleged defamation. He also pointed out that legally, there is no organization under the name of the Department of State Services, arguing that the only legally recognized entity is the National Security Agency.
After hearing both sides, Justice Yusuf indicated that the parties would be notified once the judgment is finalized.
The claimants argue that the allegations made by SERAP have adversely affected their reputations. They assert that their visit to SERAP’s office was cordial and intended to establish a working relationship. During this visit, they allege they were informed that the management of SERAP was unavailable, and they were advised to submit a formal invitation.
Subsequently, the claimants expressed surprise when SERAP announced on social media that DSS officers were unlawfully occupying its office. They allege that statements made by SERAP have led to public ridicule and condemnation from various quarters, including international organizations, and have damaged their professional reputations.
The claimants are seeking multiple forms of relief, including an order for SERAP to issue a public apology through various media outlets and a compensation of N5 billion in damages for the alleged libelous statements. They also seek interest on the claimed amount as well as legal costs associated with the action.
