DSS Operatives' N5.5 Billion Defamation Suit Against SERAP

A Nigeria===High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has reserved judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by two Nigeria===State Security Service (Nigeria) (DSS) operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. The operatives are seeking damages for alleged libellous publications by SERAP, which accused DSS officials of unlawfully invading its Abuja office on September 9, 2024. Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele claim the publications damaged their professional standing and the reputation of the Nigeria===State Security Service (Nigeria), leading to internal investigations and suspensions. They argue their visit was a routine familiarisation meeting. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, represented by counsel Victoria Bassey, urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the claimants failed to establish they were specifically named in the publications and that the statements were factual and in the public interest. Kolawole Oluwadare admitted authoring the publication but denied the language was seriously defamatory. The claimants are seeking a public apology on Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project's platforms and in national media, N5 billion in damages, and N50 million in litigation costs. Justice Halilu Yusuf will communicate the judgment date to the parties.