The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated a ₦5.5 billion defamation suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over what it claims are false accusations of a DSS-led invasion of SERAP’s Abuja office.

 

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, alleges that SERAP’s false statements have severely damaged both the agency’s and the officials’ reputations.

 

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

 

According to the plaintiffs, John and Ogundele visited SERAP’s office in Abuja on September 9 to extend an invitation for a familiarization meeting between DSS and SERAP leadership.

 

Upon arrival, they were received by a staff member named Ruth, who requested a formal invitation letter, explaining that the management team was out of the country.

 

The claimants noted that the encounter was cordial and recorded. However, later that same day, SERAP posted on X (formerly Twitter) that DSS officers had unlawfully occupied their office.

 

The DSS also alleges that SERAP published false statements on its website, describing a “tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and a “slim, dark-skinned man” from the DSS invading the office and interrogating staff.

 

The DSS argues that these claims sparked public outrage and drew criticism from international bodies, including Amnesty International, as well as prominent figures like Femi Falana (SAN).

 

These false statements, the DSS contends, have led to reputational damage, internal investigations, and accusations of unprofessional conduct, resulting in disciplinary measures.

 

The DSS is requesting the following reliefs from the court:

 

A directive requiring the defendants to issue an apology on SERAP’s website, X (Twitter) account, two national newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), and two national news stations (Arise and Channels TV) for falsely accusing the claimants of invading their office and interrogating staff.

 

Payment of ₦5 billion in damages for the defamatory statements.

 

Interest on the ₦5 billion at 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until payment is completed.

 

Payment of ₦50 million as legal costs for the case.

 

 

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