SERAP Appeals N100m Defamation Ruling in Abuja Court

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment on an appeal filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) regarding a N100m defamation judgment awarded against it by the Federal Capital Territory High Court. A three-member panel led by Justice Danlami Senchi heard arguments on October 13, 2026, from SERAP's counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and counsel for the respondents, O.S.

Kehinde. The appeal contests a judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu.

Oyetibo argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to award damages to Sarah John over a publication that allegedly referred to Sarah David. He questioned the basis on which the trial court identified the claimant as the subject of the description "tall, large, dark-skinned" without photographic evidence.

In contrast, Kehinde urged the court to dismiss the appeal, asserting that SERAP did not establish that Sarah John and Sarah David were distinct individuals, and that a person could identify themselves from a publication based on the provided description.