Lawyer’s Absence Stalls DSS N5.5bn Defamation Suit Against SERAP

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has shifted hearing in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by two aggrieved operatives of the Department of the State Services (DSS), to November 12.

Justice Halilu Yusuf, on Thursday, shifted hearing in the suit following the absence of SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, at court hearing.

The two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, had filed the action against SERAP on the ground that the organisation defamed them with baseless accusations in media publications.

Specifically, the two claimants alleged that SERAP defamed them with allegations that they unlawfully invaded their office, thereby putting their reputation, as law-abiding security operatives in jeopardy.

They, therefore, pleaded with the court to order SERAP to pay them N5.5Bn as compensation for damages they suffered.

The two claimants also applied to the judge to issue order of perpetual injunction against SERAP, restraining it from further defaming them.

However, at Thursday’s proceeding, SERAP’s lawyer, Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, wrote a letter to the court informing it that he would not be able to attend the proceedings.

The senior lawyer said that he had a matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos and pleaded for an adjournment till November 12.

Counsel to the claimant, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, admitted receiving the letter and the apology and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.

Justice Halilu subsequently fixed November 12 for SERAP to defend itself in the defamation suit.