The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has awarded ₦100 million in damages against the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in a defamation suit involving two operatives of the Department of State Services.
Delivering judgment, Justice Halilu Yusuf held that DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele were justified in instituting the suit over allegations that they unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office in Abuja on September 9, 2024.
The claimants had argued that SERAP made false and damaging statements against them, which the court found to be defamatory.
The court ordered SERAP to pay ₦100 million in damages to the two DSS officials and also awarded an additional ₦1 million as cost of litigation.
Justice Yusuf further directed the organisation to issue a public apology, to be published in two national newspapers and broadcast on two television stations.
The judgment also imposed a 10 per cent interest rate on the awarded sum until full payment is made.
The ruling marks a significant legal outcome in a case involving allegations of reputational harm between a civil society organisation and state security personnel.
