BREAKING: COURT ORDERS SERAP TO PAY DSS OPERATIVES N100M FOR DEFAMATION

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a non-governmental organisation, to pay ₦100 million in damages to two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives for allegedly defaming them in a series of publications.

The court further directed SERAP to issue public apologies to the affected officers, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, across two national newspapers, two television stations, and on its official website.

In addition, the organisation was ordered to pay ₦1 million as litigation costs to the claimants, along with 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on the awarded sum until full payment is made.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court ruled in a defamation suit initially filed for ₦5.5 billion by the DSS operatives against SERAP.

The court held SERAP liable for defamatory publications alleging that the operatives unlawfully invaded its Abuja office in September 2024, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and harmful.

Justice Halilu noted that SERAP had published on its website and social media platform that DSS operatives forcefully entered and occupied its office for suspicious purposes. He ruled that the statements were not supported by credible evidence and were inconsistent with the organisation’s mandate to promote accountability and transparency.

The claimants, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, argued that although they were not named directly, the publication referred to them as the operatives involved in the alleged incident.

SERAP, through its counsel, Victoria Bassey, urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the claimants failed to prove they were specifically identified in the publication.

The DSS operatives, however, maintained that the publication falsely portrayed them as having unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office, thereby damaging their reputations and professionalism.

After reviewing arguments from both sides, the court ruled in favour of the claimants and granted the reliefs sought.