A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has reserved judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation suit filed by two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The suit, filed by DSS officers Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, accuses SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, of falsely claiming the officials unlawfully invaded SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024.
During Thursday’s hearing, lawyers for the claimants urged the court to grant damages and an apology, while defence counsel argued the officers were not specifically named and questioned the suit’s legal competence.
SERAP’s Oluwadare admitted publishing the statements based on information from a SERAP receptionist but denied that the officers acted unlawfully or harassed staff. CCTV evidence was referenced to support his testimony.
The claimants allege the publication damaged their reputations, drawing criticism from both local and international observers, and are seeking N5 billion in damages, plus a public apology and N50 million for legal costs.
Justice Halilu Yusuf announced that a ruling will be delivered on a date to be communicated to the parties.
