N101m Defamation Debt: Court Of Appeal To Hear SERAP’s Challenge Friday
The Court of Appeal in Abuja will on Friday hear an appeal by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) challenging a N101 million defamation judgment entered against it and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1114/2026, follows a May 5 judgment by Justice Halilu Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which found SERAP and Oluwadare liable for defamatory publications concerning two Department of State Services (DSS) officials.
The DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, had sued over publications by SERAP on its website and social media platforms alleging that they invaded the organisation’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024, and harassed its officials.
Justice Yusuf held that the claimants had established the essential elements of defamation, rejecting SERAP’s defence of justification.
The judge noted that SERAP had used terms including “invasion”, “forceful entry” and “harassment”, despite evidence that the DSS officials did not force their way into the premises or brandish weapons.
The court awarded N100 million in damages and N1 million in legal costs, ordered SERAP to publish a public apology across its website, X handle, two national newspapers and two television stations, and imposed 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until payment.
The appellate court’s Registry notified the parties on Wednesday of Friday’s hearing.
The outcome could determine whether the substantial judgment against the rights advocacy organisation stands or is overturned on appeal.
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