Court Sets February 19 for Adoption of Final Address in DSS–SERAP Defamation Case

An FCT High Court in Maitama has fixed February 19, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses in the N5 billion defamation suit filed by two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

Justice Yusuf Halilu scheduled the date after SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who is the second defendant in the case, closed his defence.

During his testimony, Oluwadare adopted his witness statement and explained SERAP’s mandate, emphasising that the organisation is a legally registered NGO focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria. He rejected claims that the group exists solely to criticise the government, insisting its work centres on safeguarding human rights in the public interest.

Oluwadare told the court that harassment or intimidation of civic actors threatens SERAP’s ability to hold public institutions accountable and noted that the organisation receives both local and international donor support.

Under cross-examination, he recounted the events surrounding the alleged invasion of SERAP’s Abuja office by DSS operatives. He said multiple staff members—including a front-desk officer, security personnel and a lawyer—reported the presence of DSS officials at the premises. Although he confirmed that no staff were assaulted and no doors were broken, he maintained that the operatives’ manner of entry and the use of unmarked vehicles prompted SERAP to issue a public alert.

He added that the organisation possesses CCTV footage of the incident and said its public statements on X (Twitter) reflected the seriousness of what the staff observed.

Following his testimony, counsel to the complainants, Oluwagmileke Kehinde, informed the court that both sides had concluded their evidence and requested a date for adopting their final addresses.

The claimants — Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, both DSS operatives — are suing SERAP for defamation, alleging the organisation falsely accused them of invading its Abuja office, damaging their personal reputations as well as the image of the DSS.

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