News

SERAP Urges Court to Dismiss N5bn Defamation Suit by DSS Officials

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedFebruary 19, 2026

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Thursday asked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to dismiss a N5 billion defamation suit filed against it by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking at the resumed hearing before Justice Yusuf Halilu, SERAP argued that the claimants, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, failed to prove that the alleged defamatory publication referred to them personally.

The claimants had sued SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, seeking N5 billion in damages, N50 million in legal costs, a public apology published on SERAP’s website, in national newspapers, aired on television, and 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until fully paid.

Counsel to the first defendant, Victoria Bassey, urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing the Supreme Court case of Onu and Agbese, which held that a plaintiff must show that reasonable persons would understand the defamatory words to refer to them personally.

She noted that the publications in question referred to DSS as an institution, not to the claimants by name, rank, or unit.

She said, “Words directed at such a broad institutional body cannot automatically become personal defamation. We urge my Lord to discountenance their suits.”

Counsel to the second defendant, Oluwatosin Adesioye, also asked the court to dismiss the case, describing it as an “offensive suit.”

He argued that the claimants had not established any “special circumstances” to tie the publications to them, and that their identification only came after being informed by DSS, not at the time the publication was made.

Responding, counsel to the claimants, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), insisted that the publications referred to the claimants and urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought.

He also argued that the second defendant’s written address exceeded the court’s page limit and should be discounted.

Justice Halilu, however, reminded the parties that final written addresses cannot replace evidence before the court.

He said, “Addresses are meant to give the court a comprehensive understanding of the law, garnished with the evidence before it.” He subsequently adjourned the case and reserved judgment.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.