The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has moved to challenge a recent judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja by filing a SERAP defamation appeal, seeking a stay of execution on the N100 million damages awarded to two Department of State Services, DSS, operatives. The application follows the court’s ruling in a defamation suit involving alleged statements published by the organisation.
The case stems from a September 2024 publication in which SERAP alleged that DSS operatives unlawfully invaded its Abuja office. The claim was later contested in court by two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who argued that the publication damaged their reputations.
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favour of the DSS operatives, awarding N100 million in damages and ordering SERAP to issue public apologies in national newspapers, television stations, and its official platforms.
The ruling also included additional orders for payment of litigation costs and post-judgment interest until full settlement. Following the judgment, SERAP initiated a SERAP defamation appeal process, signalling its intention to challenge the decision at a higher court.
According to court records and reports, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court held that SERAP’s publication was defamatory and capable of damaging the reputations of the DSS operatives involved. The court found that although the operatives were not explicitly named in the publication, the descriptions provided were sufficient to identify them and link them to the allegations made.
The judge further ruled that the publication was false and injurious to the professional standing of the claimants, leading to the award of damages. In response, SERAP has instructed its legal team to pursue a SERAP defamation appeal, arguing that the judgment raises significant concerns regarding freedom of expression and civic advocacy.
The organisation has also applied for a stay of execution, seeking to suspend enforcement of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal process. Legal analysts note that such applications are standard procedure in cases where a party intends to challenge a monetary judgment in a higher court.
The DSS operatives had originally sought N5 billion in damages before the court awarded N100 million after reviewing the evidence and arguments presented by both parties. The SERAP defamation appeal is expected to revisit key legal questions surrounding publication, identification, and reputational harm under Nigerian defamation law.
The ongoing SERAP defamation appeal highlights the intersection between defamation law and civic advocacy in Nigeria. Legal observers say the outcome could influence how public accountability organisations communicate allegations involving state institutions.
It also raises broader questions about the balance between protecting individual reputations and safeguarding freedom of expression in public interest reporting and advocacy. The appeal process will likely contribute to ongoing legal interpretation of defamation standards in cases involving public institutions and civil society organisations.
