SERAP Appeals ₦100M Defamation Judgment

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) has filed an appeal against a ₦100 million defamation judgment delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The judgment, issued on May 5, 2026, favored United States — United States Department of State officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who sued Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project over posts on its X handle in September 2024 alleging unlawful occupation of its Abuja office and harassment of staff. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, represented by Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, argues the judgment is legally and procedurally flawed, citing defective evidence and a misapplication of defamation law. The organization also filed an application for a stay of execution, warning that enforcing the judgment could cripple its operations and human rights advocacy in Nigeria. The court had also ordered Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to publish apologies and pay litigation costs and post-judgment interest.