SERAP Withdraws Appeal in N101m Defamation Case

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) withdrew its appeal against a N101 million defamation judgment awarded in May by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in favor of two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). This withdrawal occurred on Tuesday, prompting the special panel set up by the President of the Court of Appeal to return the case file for reassignment.

This marked SERAP's second withdrawal in less than a week, as the previous Friday, the organization failed to file its application, resulting in an adjournment. During the proceedings, SERAP's lead counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, attempted to present an application for certain individuals to be joined as amici curiae.

However, Justice Danlami Senchi questioned the necessity of their presence, stating that the court had not invited them. Ultimately, Professor Olarewaju Fagbohun, representing the University of Columbus, withdrew the application as directed by the judge.