A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu has scheduled March 21 for the definitive hearing of a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by two officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, followed SERAP’s allegations that DSS officers unlawfully invaded its Abuja office a month earlier. The DSS officers demanded:
- ₦5 billion in damages
- A public apology published on SERAP’s website, social media, major newspapers, and TV stations
- ₦50 million in legal costs
- 10% annual interest on the ₦5 billion until full payment
During the latest hearing on March 11, SERAP’s legal team raised multiple objections, including:
- Jurisdictional concerns
- Inadequate service of court papers
- DSS officers’ legal standing to sue as individuals affiliated with the agency
However, Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled that the case was ready for a definitive hearing, emphasising that delays and procedural back-and-forth should be avoided.
Meanwhile, counsel for the plaintiffs, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, criticised SERAP’s objections as frivolous and aimed at delaying proceedings.
The court adjourned the hearing to next week after further consultations between counsels.
