A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay N101 million in damages and costs to two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over defamatory statements.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, Justice Halilu Yusuf held that SERAP was liable for libel arising from a September 9, 2024 statement alleging that DSS officials unlawfully invaded its Abuja office and harassed staff.
The court awarded N100 million as general damages and N1 million as litigation costs to the claimants.
It also directed SERAP to publish a public apology on its X handle, as well as in two national newspapers and two television stations.
In addition, the court ordered a 10 percent annual interest on the damages from the date of judgment until full payment.
The dispute stemmed from a statement issued by SERAP calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene over what it described as harassment by DSS operatives.
Following the publication, the officers identified as Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele—were suspended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings.
However, the DSS later clarified that the visit by the officers was routine and aimed at engaging with the organisation’s leadership.
After internal findings reportedly cleared the officers of wrongdoing, they instituted a N5.5 billion defamation suit against SERAP, claiming reputational damage.
In his ruling, Justice Yusuf noted that SERAP did not deny publishing the statement and held that the content injured the professional reputation of the claimants. The court also dismissed preliminary objections raised by the organisation, describing them as lacking merit.
“The publication complained of was defamatory and adversely affected the claimants in their professional standing,” the judge held.
Court proceedings showed that witnesses did not support claims of physical assault during the visit. SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, told the court that the organisation relied on information provided by a front-desk officer in making its claims.
Despite subsequent clarifications by the DSS, SERAP maintained its position in later statements, insisting that the operatives unlawfully invaded its office.
Counsel to the claimants argued that the publication was widely understood within the claimants’ professional circle and caused significant reputational harm.
The court agreed, holding that the claimants had sufficiently established their case.
The judgment is considered significant, marking a rare instance of security operatives successfully pursuing a defamation claim in their personal capacity in Nigeria.
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