Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court has awarded the sum of N101 million against the incorporated Trustees of socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, finding them liable in a defamation suit filed by two operatives of the Department of Security Services, DSS.
Justice Halilu Yusuf in a judgement while noting that the two operatives of the agency were right to have filed a suit on grounds of defamation, also ordered SERAP to post a public apology to the affected operatives on its X handle, in two national newspapers and two television stations.
The court directed that SERAP pays 10% per cent interest per annum on the N101 million from the date of judgement, till the judgement sum is realised or liquidated.
Justice Halilu Yusuf while delivering judgement held that the claim of both DSS officers was for libel, and that SERAP did not deny publishing the offending statement which the court held “injured the reputation of the claimants in their professional capacity.”
The court however dismissed the two preliminary objections raised by SERAP.
The trial judge said the two operatives were able to establish that they had a dispute with SERAP.
SERAP had on September 9, 2024, issued a statement claiming that DSS operatives “unlawfully invaded” its Abuja office to “harass and intimidate” its staff.
The non-governmental organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to call the secret police to order and stop them from intimidating innocent Nigerians.
On the heels of SERAP’s allegations, the DSS issued a statement clarifying that the visit by its two officers, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, was routine, and aimed at familiarising with the organisation’s new leadership.
SERAP, however, stood its ground, insisting that the DSS operatives invaded its Abuja office and assaulted staff members.
Both DSS officers were thereafter suspended and made to face a disciplinary panel.
After the agency’s leadership established that the operatives did not invade SERAP office, and did not harass any of its staff, the officers sued SERAP for N5.5 billion damages.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
