Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has ordered the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay N100 million in damages to two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over defamation.
Justice Yusuf Halilu delivered the judgment in a suit filed by two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who accused SERAP of making false and defamatory claims against them.
The claimants had approached the court following a series of posts published by SERAP on its X handle on Sept. 9, 2024, alleging that DSS officers unlawfully invaded and occupied its Abuja office.
In the posts, SERAP claimed that officers of the State Security Service had stormed its office and were demanding to see its directors.
“Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors. President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” the organisation had posted.
However, in his judgment, Justice Halilu held that the allegations made by SERAP were false and defamatory, adding that the two DSS operatives were justified in instituting legal action to protect their reputations.
The court consequently awarded N100 million in damages against SERAP in favour of the claimants.
Justice Halilu also ordered SERAP to issue a public apology to the two DSS operatives.
According to the judgment, the apology must be published in two national newspapers and aired on two television stations.
In addition, the court awarded N1 million against SERAP as the cost of litigation.
The court further ruled that the judgment sum would attract 10 per cent interest annually until the full amount is paid.
The case stems from growing tensions between civil society organisations and security agencies over allegations of harassment, intimidation, and civic space restrictions in Nigeria.
Neither SERAP nor the DSS had publicly reacted to the judgment as of the time of filing this report.
