SERAP Appeals ₦100M Defamation Judgment In Favour Of DSS Officials

SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed an appeal against the ₦100 million defamation judgment delivered against it by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja in favour of officials of the Department of State Services. The association recently had its say via a press statement issued by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Nigerians have been reacting.

Describing the judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu as a travesty and a miscarriage of justice, SERAP announced that the appeal was filed on Friday, May 8, 2026, by senior advocate Tayo Oyetibo, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

The group added that the appeal and accompanying application for stay of execution provide adequate legal protection pending further proceedings.

It read, “The Notice of Appeal already filed will be amended upon receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment to incorporate key portions of the judgment that further highlight its flawed nature.

The decision rests on fundamental legal and evidential errors that go to the root of jurisdiction and fairness in adjudication. The court’s decision is therefore perverse and a nullity.

The lower court erred in law by relying on the witness statement on oath of the 1st Respondent when the 1st Respondent admitted under cross-examination that the said statement was not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths.

The publications complained of did not mention the Respondents by name, rank, photograph, or any unique identifier.

There was also evidence that the publications were made by SERAP on an occasion of qualified privilege to inform the public about actions of state security agencies that reasonably appear intrusive and intimidating.

The organisation further claimed that the DSS officials failed to prove actual reputational or financial harm resulting from the publication.

The Respondents did not adduce evidence of any suspension, investigation, disciplinary proceedings, or professional setback allegedly caused by the publications.

Thousands of individuals and communities depend on SERAP’s work, including victims of human rights violations and beneficiaries of its advocacy, investigations, and legal interventions.

The enforcement of the judgment would deprive SERAP of its constitutional right of appeal, as it would be unable to adequately finance the prosecution of its appeal to the Court of Appeal.”

WOW.