- The lawsuit, marked CV/4547/2024, names SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as defendants
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for allegedly making a false claim that its office in Abuja was invaded by DSS operatives.
In the suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the DSS alleges that the false report negatively impacted its corporate reputation and the reputations of two of its officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who are also claimants in the case.
The lawsuit, marked CV/4547/2024, names SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as defendants.
The DSS claims that its officials, John and Ogundele, had visited SERAP’s office on September 9, 2024, for a routine familiarization meeting, which is part of its practice of engaging with NGOs. However, shortly after the visit, SERAP allegedly published a false report on its X (formerly Twitter) handle and website, claiming that DSS officers had unlawfully occupied its office and interrogated its staff.
The DSS further alleges that SERAP’s publication was widely disseminated by various media outlets, leading to reputational harm. The security agency is seeking N5.5 billion in damages and has emphasized that it recorded the interactions during the visit, which were amicable, contrary to SERAP’s claims.
The case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu for hearing.