A Federal Capital Territory High Court has begun hearing a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by two State Security Service (SSS) operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The lawsuit follows SERAP’s allegations that the SSS invaded its Abuja office in September of the previous year.

The plaintiffs are seeking ₦5 billion in damages, a public apology published on SERAP’s website and in national media outlets, ₦50 million in legal costs, and 10% annual interest on the awarded damages.

During the proceedings, the presiding judge instructed SERAP’s defense team to review six documents submitted by the plaintiffs, stating that all objections would be addressed in the final written addresses. The hearing began with the cross-examination of Sarah John, the first claimant, by SERAP’s defense counsel.

SERAP’s counsel argued that since the names of the claimants were not mentioned in the allegations, the defamation claims were baseless. In her testimony, Sarah John stated that the accusations had caused harm to her reputation, as well as that of her colleague and the SSS as an institution.

The hearing has been adjourned until May 8, 2025, for further proceedings.

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