SERAP's N100m Defamation Appeal Stalls Again in Court

The appeal by the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against a N100 million judgment debt has stalled for the second time in less than a week due to procedural complications. SERAP and Deputy Director Kolawole Ogundare are appealing a May 5 judgment from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which found them guilty of defamatory publication against the Department of State Service (DSS) and two of its officials.

The appellate court, led by Justice Danlami Senchi, had previously reserved judgment but could not proceed due to issues surrounding Ogundare's appeal. The court expressed difficulty in granting an application from Ogundare's lawyer, Oluwatosin Adesioye, which sought to amend reliefs related to additional records of appeal.

Consequently, the panel decided to return both cases to the Presiding Justice of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal for reassignment. The next hearing date is yet to be communicated to the parties involved.