SERAP's ₦101m Defamation Appeal Hearing Delayed

The Court of Appeal in Abuja postponed the hearing of appeals filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, against a ₦101 million defamation judgment due to the late filing of a brief. The appeals challenge a May 5 judgment from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which ruled that SERAP and Oluwadare defamed two Department of State Services (DSS) officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, through a false publication on September 10, 2024.

During the proceedings, the first appeal by SERAP was heard, but Oluwadare's appeal was deemed not ready for hearing as his lawyer, Hannah Ayanwale, filed the brief shortly before the court session. The justices expressed their displeasure at this delay and adjourned both appeals until October 13, requiring the respondents to file their briefs by October 12.

The original suit claimed that SERAP published false statements regarding an alleged invasion of its office by DSS officials.