Court Orders SERAP to Pay N100M for Defamation

On Tuesday, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, ruled that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) must pay N100 million in damages to DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele for defamation. The judgment was delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu in case number FCT/HC/CV/4547/24.

The court found that SERAP's posts, particularly one from September 9, 2024, which alleged that DSS operatives unlawfully occupied an office in Abuja, were defamatory. The plaintiffs sought N5 billion in damages and a public apology across multiple platforms.

Justice Halilu emphasized that SERAP failed to exercise due diligence in publishing the allegations and ruled that the right to free expression is not absolute, especially when it infringes on another's rights. The court awarded N100 million in damages, N1 million in costs, and 10% annual interest on the judgment sum until fully paid, alongside an order for SERAP to issue a public apology.