N5.5 BILLION DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST SERAP STALLED AS DEFENCE LAWYER MISSES COURT

A defamation lawsuit seeking N5.5 billion against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has been postponed after the organization’s lead lawyer failed to appear in court. The case was brought by two Department of State Services operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, who claim media reports by SERAP falsely accused them of unlawfully invading its office.

At a hearing on Thursday, Justice Halilu Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory acknowledged a letter from SERAP’s counsel, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, who was absent due to proceedings at the Court of Appeal in Lagos. The claimants’ lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, did not object to the delay. “We are in receipt of a letter from the learned counsel for the defendant explaining his absence,” Kehinde confirmed to the court.

Justice Halilu subsequently rescheduled the matter for November 12, 2024, for SERAP to present its defence. The DSS officers maintain the publications have tarnished their reputations as law-abiding officers.