A Federal Capital Territory court has ordered SERAP to pay N100 million to two DSS officials and issue a public apology after finding its 2024 social media post about them defamatory.
An FCT High Court in Maitama has ordered rights group SERAP to pay N100 million in damages to two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, over a defamatory post published on the organisation’s X handle in September 2024.
Justice Yusuf Halilu held that SERAP’s claim that the officials were “unlawfully occupying” its Abuja office damaged their reputations and contributed to their suspension from duty.
“It is most necessary for care and due diligence to be taken by SERAP before tweeting or releasing any particular information,” the judge ruled.
The court also ordered SERAP to publish a public apology on its website, X handle, in Punch and Vanguard newspapers, and on Arise Television and Channels, alongside a 10 percent annual interest on the judgment sum.