“DSS Initiates ₦5.5 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against SERAP for Alleged False Claims of Office Invasion”

The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated a ₦5.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over allegations that DSS officials unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office in Abuja. The DSS describes these claims as false and damaging to its reputation.

The legal action was filed on October 17 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, under case number CV/4547/2024, naming SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as defendants.

According to the plaintiffs, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, they visited SERAP’s office on September 9 to invite the organization’s leadership for a meeting. They were received by a staff member named Ruth, who asked for a formal invitation since the management was out of the country.

The plaintiffs stated that their interaction with Ruth was friendly and recorded. However, later that same day, SERAP alleged on its X (formerly Twitter) account that DSS officers were unlawfully occupying its office.

The DSS’s lawsuit further claims that SERAP published a false statement on its website, describing an encounter with a “tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and a “slim, dark-skinned man” from the DSS who had invaded their office and interrogated staff.

According to the DSS, these unfounded allegations have sparked public outrage and condemnation from international organizations like Amnesty International, as well as notable figures such as Femi Falana (SAN).

The DSS argues that the false statements have harmed the reputations of the involved officials, leading to internal investigations, suspensions, and accusations of unprofessional behavior.

As a result, the claimants assert that these events have subjected them to disciplinary actions within the DSS.

The DSS is seeking several remedies from the court, including an order for the defendants to issue a public apology to the claimants through SERAP’s website, its X (Twitter) account, two national newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), and two television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing them of invading SERAP’s office and interrogating its staff. Additionally, the DSS is requesting that the defendants pay ₦5 billion in damages for the defamatory statements made about the claimants.