A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday, October 16, 2025, shifted hearing in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), by two aggrieved operatives of the Department of the State Service DSS to November 12.
The court presided over by Justice Halilu Yusuf shifted hearing in the suit following the absence of the counsel to SERAP, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, in court.
The two operatives of the DSS, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, had filed the action against SERAP on the ground that the organization defamed them with baseless accusations in the media.
The two claimants specifically alleged that SERAP defamed them with allegations that they unlawfully invaded their office, thereby putting their reputation, as law abiding security operatives in jeopardy.
The two operatives are praying the court to order SERAP to pay them N5.5Bn as compensation for damages they suffered and also asked the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction against SERAP restraining it from further defaming them.
However, at Thursday’s proceeding, the counsel to SERAP, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, wrote the court, informing it that he would not be able to attend the proceedings as he had a matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos.
Adegboruwa pleaded with the court for an adjournment till November 12.
Counsel to the claimants, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, admitted receiving the letter and the apology, thus did not oppose the request for an adjournment.
Accordingly, Justice Halilu fixed November 12 for SERAP to defend itself in the defamation suit.
