The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of a N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit filed against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by two disgruntled officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) to November 12.
On Thursday, Justice Halilu Yusuf rescheduled the case after SERAP’s legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ebun Adegboruwa, was absent from the court session.
The plaintiffs, DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, initiated the lawsuit claiming that SERAP tarnished their reputations through unfounded allegations published in the media.
They specifically accused SERAP of defaming them by asserting that they unlawfully raided their office, which they argue has damaged their standing as law-abiding security personnel.
Consequently, the duo is seeking N5.5 billion in damages as compensation for the harm caused to their reputations.
Additionally, the claimants requested the court to grant a permanent injunction preventing SERAP from making further defamatory statements against them.
During Thursday’s hearing, Adegboruwa submitted a letter to the court explaining his inability to attend due to a conflicting engagement at the Court of Appeal in Lagos, and formally requested an adjournment.
The plaintiffs’ counsel, Senior Advocate Akinlolu Kehinde, acknowledged receipt of the letter and did not object to the postponement.
Following this, Justice Halilu adjourned the matter to November 12, when SERAP is expected to present its defense in the defamation case.
