A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting at Maitama on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 ordered awarded Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), to pay two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), N100 million in damages for defamation.
The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu, held that it was satisfied that SERAP had on September 9, 2024, tarnished the reputations of the two personnel of the DSS namely Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, when it falsely alleged that they invaded its office in Abuja.
The court accordingly found that SERAP, which was sued alongside its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, unjustly defamed the operatives when it published on its website and X handle (formerly Twitter) and claimed that they invaded the office and harassed its staff member.
Justice Halilu held that the publication was in bad taste and consequently ordered SERAP in addition to the payment of damages, tender public apologies to the defamed personnel of the DSS in two national newspapers, on two television stations and on its website.
The Court also ordered the defendants to pay the two operatives N1m to cover the cost of the litigation, as well as 10 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until it is fully liquidated.
The judgment followed Suit No. CV/4547/2024, filed by the two operatives before the FCT High Court to challenge what they referenced as ‘SERAP’s false claim”, which they noted had negatively affected their reputation and the corporate image of the DSS.
The claimants also prayed the Court for an order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (Twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), and two national television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing them of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating its staff.
“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5billion as damages for the libellous statements published about them.
“Interest on the sum of N5bn at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.
“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50m as costs of the action,” the claimants asked the court.
While the litigants demanded N5bn in damages, the court however said that it was minded to award them N100m.
