SERAP Appeals N100m Defamation Ruling in Abuja Court

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

Kehinde. The appeal contests the 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 trial court's verification of the description of a “tall, large, dark-skinned” woman without a photograph and urged the appellate court to allow the appeal.

In contrast, Kehinde argued for the dismissal of the appeal, asserting that SERAP did not prove that Sarah John and Sarah David were different individuals. The court also dismissed applications from Columbia University, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly, and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre to participate as amici curiae.

Justice Senchi stated that the date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.