By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting at Maitama has ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay N100 million in damages for defaming two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday by Justice Yusuf Halilu, the court held that SERAP and its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, unjustly tarnished the reputations of DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele.
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The court found that on September 9, 2024, SERAP falsely alleged on its website and X (formerly Twitter) handle that the two DSS officials invaded its office in Abuja and harassed its staff.
Justice Halilu described the publication as “in bad taste” and ruled that it negatively affected both the personal reputations of the operatives and the corporate image of the DSS.
In addition to the N100 million damages, the court ordered SERAP to tender public apologies to the two officials in two national newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), on two national television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television), and on its website.
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The defendants were also ordered to pay the sum of N1 million as litigation costs, plus 10 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until it is fully liquidated.
The judgment followed Suit No. CV/4547/2024 filed by the two DSS operatives, who had demanded N5 billion in damages. The court, however, awarded N100 million.
The plaintiffs had sought, among other reliefs, an order directing SERAP to publicly apologise for falsely accusing them of unlawfully invading its office and interrogating its staff.
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SERAP has described the judgment as “a travesty and a dangerous precedent” and indicated plans to appeal the ruling.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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