High-Stakes Legal Battle DSS Files Massive ₦5.5 Billion Lawsuit Against SERAP

High-Stakes Legal Battle DSS Files Massive ₦5.5 Billion Lawsuit Against SERAP

The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated a ₦5.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).…CONTINUE READING

over what it claims are false allegations regarding an invasion of SERAP’s Abuja office by its officials.

The suit, filed on behalf of DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, asserts that SERAP’s statements have severely damaged the reputation of both the agency and the individuals involved.

The legal action, registered on October 17 before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court under case number CV/4547/2024, names SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as defendants.

According to the claimants, John and Ogundele visited SERAP’s office on September 9 to invite the organization’s leadership to a familiarization meeting with the DSS. They were greeted by a staff member named Ruth, who requested a formal invitation since the management was out of the country. The claimants stated that their interaction with Ruth was cordial and recorded. However, later that day, SERAP alleged on its X (formerly Twitter) account that DSS officials were unlawfully occupying its office.

The lawsuit also contends that SERAP published a false statement on its website, describing two DSS officials—a “tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and a “slim, dark-skinned man”—as having invaded their office and interrogated staff. The DSS claims this statement incited public outrage and condemnation from international organizations such as Amnesty International and prominent figures like Femi Falana (SAN).

The DSS argues that these unfounded claims have tarnished the reputations of the officials, leading to internal investigations, suspensions, and allegations of unprofessionalism, subjecting them to disciplinary actions within the agency.

In its lawsuit, the DSS is seeking:

1. An order requiring SERAP to publicly apologize to the claimants on its website, social media platforms, two national newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), and two news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading its office and interrogating staff.

2. Damages of ₦5 billion for the defamatory statements.

3. Interest on the ₦5 billion at a rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until fully paid.

4. ₦50 million to cover the costs of this legal action.

The case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, though a hearing date has yet to be determined.