Abuja – The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for allegedly making false claims about an invasion of its Abuja office.
In a suit filed on October 17 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the DSS named two of its officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, as claimants. The agency contends that SERAP’s allegations have severely tarnished its reputation and that of the involved officials.
The suit, with reference number CV/4547/2024, was initiated by a team of DSS lawyers led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN). SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, are listed as defendants.
According to the DSS, the allegations stem from a routine visit made by John and Ogundele to SERAP’s office on September 9, intended to foster a relationship with the organization’s new leadership. The claimants stated in their complaint, “During our visit, we met a staff member named Ruth, who informed us that none of SERAP’s management was in the country and advised us to send a formal invitation.” They further claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded.
The DSS officials reported that Ruth assured them she would notify SERAP’s management about their visit and even provided a contact number. However, shortly after their departure, SERAP alleged on its X (Twitter) handle that DSS officers unlawfully occupied its office.
The suit details that, “On the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS invaded their Abuja office and interrogated staff members.”
SERAP’s statements urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, demanding an end to what they characterized as intimidation and harassment by the DSS.
In its lawsuit, the DSS highlighted the significant repercussions of the defamatory claims, stating, “Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticized by international agencies such as Amnesty International and prominent members of Nigerian society, including Femi Falana (SAN).”
The agency emphasized that these allegations have led the public and international community to perceive the Federal Government as using the DSS to target SERAP, further exacerbating the damage to its reputation.
