The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned hearing in two appeals filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, against the N101 million defamation judgment in favour of two Department of State Services (DSS) officials.
The appeals stem from the May 5 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory where Justice Halilu Yusuf held that SERAP and Oluwadare defamed DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, through a false publication made on September 10, 2024.
Justice Yusuf had found that the claimants proved defamation and rejected SERAP’s defence of justification, noting that words like invasion, forceful entry and harassment were used inaccurately.
The defendants had admitted at trial that the officials did not forcefully enter SERAP’s premises and did not brandish any weapon.
The court had awarded N100 million damages plus N1 million cost of prosecuting the suit, ordered a public apology on SERAP’s website, X handle, two national dailies and two television stations, and held that the judgment sum shall attract 10 percent interest per annum until paid.
The claimants had filed suit marked CV/4547/2024 alleging that SERAP’s publications on its website and social media that DSS officials invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024 and harassed staff injured their professional reputation.
At Friday’s proceedings, a three member panel presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi called the appeals marked CA/ABJ/CV/1114/2026 filed by SERAP and CA/ABJ/CV/1105/2026 filed by Oluwadare.
When the second appeal was called, appellants’ lawyer Hannah Ayanwale told the court that the appeal was not ripe for hearing as the appellant just filed his brief on Thursday and served it on respondents on Friday morning before sitting.
The disclosure infuriated the justices who were uncomfortable that counsel failed to inform the court earlier that the sister appeal was not ripe for hearing.
The court set aside proceedings earlier conducted on the first appeal on grounds that both appeals emanated from same judgment and ought to be heard together.
It adjourned hearing till October 13 and ordered respondents to file their brief on October 12 and appellant to file a reply before the next sitting.
