The defamation lawsuit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking ₦5 billion in damages from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has been adjourned until February 2026 for the adoption of the final written addresses.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, set the date after SERAP opened and closed its defense on Monday. The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, was initiated by two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele. SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, are cited as the defendants.
At the resumed hearing, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Oluwadare, testified as PW2 after the court granted an application allowing for the amendment of the process filed. Oluwadare adopted his statement on oath and provided further clarifications on SERAP’s operational mandate and the circumstances surrounding the alleged invasion of its Abuja office.
Oluwadare strongly reaffirmed that “SERAP is a registered non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria.” He dismissed “suggestions that SERAP exists to criticise the government,” stressing that its “mandate is to promote and protect human rights, including socio-economic rights, in the public interest.”
He also told the court that harassment and intimidation of civic actors pose “grave threats to SERAP’s work, particularly its efforts to hold public institutions accountable.” Oluwadare confirmed that SERAP operates with both local and international donor support.
Under cross-examination, Oluwadare stood by his earlier account that DSS operatives had been present at the organization’s premises, noting that the incident prompted SERAP’s public alerts. He told the court that multiple staff members, including a front-desk officer, a security guard, and another lawyer, “reported the presence of the officials.”
When confronted with questions about whether any staff member was assaulted or whether doors were broken, the witness confirmed there was no physical attack but maintained that the manner of entry and the presence of unmarked vehicles created concern and informed SERAP’s public statements. Oluwadare further stated that the organization has CCTV footage of the incident and insisted that the tweets issued by SERAP reflected the seriousness of what staff observed that day.
Following the completion of cross-examination, counsel to the claimant, Oluwagbemileke Kehinde, informed the court that both parties had reached the close of trial and requested a date for the adoption of final written addresses.
The court subsequently adjourned to February 19 for filing and adoption of the final written address.
