The Department of State Services, DSS, has filed a N5.5billion defamation suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, for allegedly making a false claim against it.
The security agency, in the legal action it instituted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, alleged that SERAP falsely alleged that its Abuja office was invaded by DSS operatives.
It told the court that the false claim negatively impacted on both its corporate reputation and that of two of its officials- Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele- who were listed as claimants in the matter.
Cited as defendants in the suit marked: CV/4547/2024, are SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
Specifically, the litigants, in the statement of claim they filed through their team of lawyers led by Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that in line with DSS’ practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.
The claimants told the court that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.
The claimants, who maintained that the interactions were recorded, said before the operatives exited SERAP’s office, Ruth, promised to inform the management of her organisation about the visit and also volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.
They said it was surprising that shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle: @SERAPNigeria, claiming that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying it’s office.
The claimants added 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, “described as ‘a tall, large, dark-skinned woman’ and ‘a slim, dark skinned man,’ invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant.
“In their statement, the defendants also urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately direct the DSS to end its intimidation, harassment and attack against the first defendant and the threat of arrest against its directors.
“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN).
“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”
The claimants told the court that the false alarm by the defendants caused harm to their reputation as they were portrayed as a lawless organization whose operatives are incompetent, unprofessional and do not follow orders.
The claimants also stated that the defendants’ statements caused harm to its officials as they were suspended, subjected to an investigation and made to face a disciplinary panel.
Consequently, the claimants prayed the court for: “An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.
“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.
“Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.”
As well as, “an order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50million as costs of this action.”
Meanwhile, the case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu for hearing.