A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has adjourned till February 19, 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses in the N5.5billion defamation suit against a group, the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Justice Halilu Yusuf chose the date yesterday after the defendants concluded its defence after calling its witness.
Listed with SERAP as defendants in the suit, marked: CV/4547/2024, is its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
In the suit filed in the names of two officials of DSS – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – the claimants accused the defendants of making a false claim that John and Ogundele invaded SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, last year.
At the commencement of proceedings, Oluwadare, who testified as the defendants’ witness, adopted his statement on oath and gave further information about what he knew in relation to the incident of September 9, last year.
Oluwadare said SERAP is a registered non-governmental organisation, which champions advancing transparency, accountability, and social justice in the country.
The witness, who was led in evidence by defendants’ lawyer, Oluwatosin Adesioye, admitted that SERAP operates with funding from local and international donor agencies.
Under cross-examination by claimants’ lawyer, Oluwagbemileke Kehinde, the witness said he made the publication complained about based on the information he got from one Vivian Amadi, a Front Desk Officer and Receptionist in SERAP’s Abuja office.
The witness admitted that he was not present in the office, but was called by Amadi to inform him of the presence of the DSS officials in the SERAP’s premises.
Oluwadare was handed two documents, including the publication, complained about by the claimant, and was asked to read out the first paragraph to the hearing of everyone in court.
In the publication posted on SERAP website, the witness raised an alarm, claiming that the DSS had invaded SERAP’s Abuja office unlawfully; intimidating and harassing its staff members, and called on President Bola Tinubu to call the DSS officials to order.
After reading, the witness admitted using the words – unlawful, intimidating, harassing – in the publications, but disagreed that the words used in the publications are serious allegations against the two claimants.
The witness admitted not consulting with the DSS before making the publications, adding that while they were in SERAP’s office, the two DSS officials did not brandish any weapon.
He also confirmed that throughout their presence, the two DSS officials did not seize or damage any property nor was any staff member of SERAP assaulted by the security agents.
Oluwadare admitted that the DSS officials did not break any door to gain entry into SERAPs office.
He said he was told that the first claimant (Sarah John) was making calls and asking other officials of the DSS not to come to the SERAP office.
The witness claimed to have the CCTV footage of the DSS officials’ entrance into the SERAP’s office.
In the suit, the claimants stated, among others, that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on its reputation and that of the two officials involved.
They also stated, in their statement of claims, that, in line with its practice of engaging with officials of NGOs operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.
The claimants added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a letter of invitation be written by the DSS.
John and Ogundele, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.
They said it was surprising that, shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle: @SERAPNigeria, that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying its office.
The claimant added that “on the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was reported by several media outfits, alleging that some officers from the DSS, described as “a fall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark skinned man,” invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff member of the first defendant (SERAP).
John and Ogundele stated that “due to the false statements, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN).
“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”
They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.
The claimants are, therefore, praying the court for the following reliefs:
*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 news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.
*An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants N5billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.
*Interest on N5 billion at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.
*An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants N50million as costs of this action.
