A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Friday commenced the definite hearing in a defamation lawsuit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The lawsuit was initiated after SERAP failed to apologize to the DSS last September for accusing its operatives of invading its Abuja office.
In response, DSS officers Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele filed a defamation suit in October 2024, demanding ₦5 billion in damages from SERAP.
In addition to seeking redress for alleged reputational harm, the officers demanded a public apology published on SERAP’s website, national newspapers, and television stations.
They also sought ₦50 million for legal costs and a 10 percent annual interest on the ₦5 billion until full payment is made.
The hearing began with the cross-examination of the first claimant, Sarah, identified as Plaintiff Witness 1 (PW1), by the counsels representing the first and second defendants.
SERAP was represented in court by Divine Oguru, while its deputy director was represented by Oluwatosin Adesoye, who apologized for his client’s absence.
Akinolu Kehinde, SAN, counsel for the plaintiffs, stated that he was fully prepared for the proceedings.
Both defense counsels questioned DSS operative Sarah regarding the events surrounding the alleged invasion of SERAP’s office last year.
Both defense counsels argued that since SERAP did not specifically mention the claimants’ names, their defamation claims were unjustified.
In response, Sarah maintained that SERAP’s allegations had damaged her reputation, that of her colleague, and the DSS as a whole.
Following an hour-long session, the judge adjourned the case to May 8, 2025, for the continuation of the definite hearing.
