Court Orders SERAP to Pay DSS Officials N100 Million

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. The court, presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu, found that SERAP had defamed the officials through a social media post published on September 9, 2024, which alleged that the DSS unlawfully occupied SERAP's office in Abuja.

The plaintiffs sought N5 billion in damages and N50 million in legal costs, along with a public apology. The court awarded N100 million, stating that SERAP failed to exercise due diligence in its public statements, which caused reputational harm to the DSS.

The judgment also included a 10% annual interest on the awarded sum until it is paid, and SERAP was ordered to publish an apology on its website and in two national newspapers. Justice Halilu emphasized the importance of exercising rights with care and the necessity of providing a fair hearing.