DSS operatives win big as court fines SERAP ₦100m damages

An Abuja High Court has found the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) liable for defamation, awarding ₦100 million in general damages to two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judgment, delivered Tuesday by Justice Halilu Yusuf, concludes a legal battle that began nearly two years ago over allegations of office harassment.

Beyond the primary damages, the court ordered SERAP to pay ₦1 million in litigation costs and imposed a 10% annual interest rate on the judgment sum until the total amount is liquidated.

The court further mandated a comprehensive public retraction, requiring SERAP to post an apology on its X handle and publish the same in two national newspapers and on two television stations.

The dispute stems from a September 9, 2024, statement in which SERAP claimed that DSS operatives unlawfully invaded its Abuja office to intimidate staff.

This public allegation led to the suspension of the two officers and forced them to face a disciplinary panel.

Although the DSS eventually exonerated the operatives, the officers proceeded with a ₦5.5 billion libel suit, arguing that the NGO’s claims had severely damaged their professional reputations and standing.

Justice Yusuf dismissed several preliminary objections raised by SERAP during the trial.

The judge ruled that the NGO failed to deny publishing the offending statement, which the court determined was inherently injurious to the claimants.

Regarding procedural challenges, the court held that witness statements were properly sworn at the High Court Registry and that the absence of payment for certifying DSS documents did not invalidate them under the Evidence Act, as no specific fees for such internal certifications were proven to exist.

Addressing jurisdictional arguments, the court noted that the defendants had actively participated in the case through counsel and motions for extensions of time, effectively nullifying claims of non-service.