SERAP Secures Appeal Hearing in DSS’ One Hundred Million Naira Defamation Judgement

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has scheduled hearing for tomorrow, Friday, in an appeal challenging the One Hundred Million Naira defamation judgement against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP.

Justice YUSUF HALILU of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered the judgement against SERAP on May 5, 2026, in a case filed by the State Security Service, also known as the Department of State Services, DSS.

The lawsuit followed SERAP’s report on September 9, 2024, alleging that DSS officers had unlawfully entered its Abuja office.

This was after the group called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations of corruption at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

SERAP is now challenging the findings of liability, the award of damages and the consequential orders, including an apology to the DSS, as ordered by the FCT High Court.

It is challenging the lower court judgement based on twenty-four grounds, according to an Appellant’s Brief of Argument filed by its counsel, TAYO OYETIBO, Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

These include questions concerning the essential elements of defamation, the evidential burden of establishing identification, the competence of the evidence relied upon by the trial court, and the protection of freedom of expression and public-interest advocacy.