Defamation: Court okays DSS N5bn suit against SERAP
An FCT High Court has fixed March 21 to begin definite hearing on a case of defamation filed by two officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The DSS officers had in October filed a defamation suit against SERAP after the organisation failed to apologise for […]
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
An FCT High Court has fixed March 21 to begin definite hearing on a case of defamation filed by two officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The DSS officers had in October filed a defamation suit against SERAP after the organisation failed to apologise for accusing the DSS officials of unlawfully invading its Abuja office a month earlier.
Among the reliefs sought by the DSS officers are N5 billion in damages, apology published on SERAP’s website, social media, and in national newspapers and television stations.
The DSS also demands the sum of N50 million for legal costs and 10 per cent annual interest on the N5 billion until payment is made in full.
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When the matter came up for definitive hearing on Wednesday, SERAP’s legal team raised several interlocutory applications and objections bordering on proper service.
The objections centred on the court’s jurisdiction, that they were not properly served, and that the DSS officials lacked legal standing to sue since they were affiliated with the agency.
A defendant counsel, Hannan Anyowale and SERAP’s counsel, Divine Oguru, asked the court to dismiss the counter affidavit filed by the DSS and grant their application to strike out the matter.
Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS officials, A. T. Kehinde (SAN), described the submission of the defendant as lacking in merit and aimed at annoying, frustrating and wasting the time of the court.
However, the presiding judge, Yusuf Halilu, said all the processes for definite hearing were intact and that the court was ready to begin hearing in the matter.