An FCT High Court sitting in Maitama rules that Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is liable for defamation against two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives/officials and awards N100 million in damages. Multiple outlets report that the court finds the publication in question to be libelous, stating that libel is actionable when there is a publication that is false and damaging. Vanguard reports the court also orders SERAP to apologise to the two DSS operatives in addition to paying the damages.
After the judgment, SERAP files an appeal and seeks a stay of execution. Premium Times and The Punch describe SERAP’s position that the ruling is a “travesty” and “miscarriage of justice,” and that it is legally and procedurally flawed. The Punch also frames the appeal as potentially affecting SERAP’s operations, while Premium Times notes SERAP seeks to prevent enforcement of the judgment pending the appeal.
SERAP and the DSS officials involved are not portrayed as reaching settlement; the matter proceeds through the appellate process following the High Court decision.
