DSS vs SERAP: Court sets Feb 19 for final address in defamation suit

An FCT High Court has set February 19 for written addresses in the suit by the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for alleged defamation. Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the matter on Monday after the conclusion of evidence of the defence witnesses with the deputy director of SERAP, […]

An FCT High Court has set February 19 for written addresses in the suit by the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for alleged defamation.

Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the matter on Monday after the conclusion of evidence of the defence witnesses with the deputy director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare.

Two DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele brought the suit with number: FCT/HC/CV/4547/24 after SERAP failed to apologise for accusing the DSS officials of unlawfully invading its Abuja office in 2023.

The DSS is demanding the sum of N5 billion in damages, apology published on SERAP’s website, social media, and in national newspapers and television stations, the sum of N50 million for legal costs and 10 per cent annual interest on the N5 billion until payment is made in full.

At the resumed hearing, Oluwadare maintained that DSS operatives came to its premises with unmarked vehicle noting that the incident prompted SERAP’s public alerts, including the post on X.

He told the court that multiple staff members, including a front-desk officer, a security guard, and another lawyer, reported the presence of the officials.

 

Under cross examination by counsel to the DSS, Oluwadare admitted that he had the CCTV footage of the incident, which did not indicate that the operatives did not break in, physical assault, seize or damage any property in the SERAP office.