Michael AndeyinTwo Department of State Services (DSS) officials have filed a defamatory lawsuit of N5 billion against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil society organisation, for publishing false statements about them.
In the statement of claim obtained by FIJ, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, two DSS officials, claimed they drove into SERAP’s premises at 18, Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja, on the day of the said invasion to engage with and establish a relationship with the CSO’s new leadership.
They stated that they arrived at the premises without escort and conducted themselves in a manner worthy of official visitations. They said they met Ruth, one of SERAP’s staff. None of the senior officials was around to host the DSS officials, and the staff told them to send a formal invite for engagement.
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John, the leading claimant, in her statement of oath, said that after the brief meeting, she discovered a post on X from the NGO saying that their office had been invaded and surrounded by DSS officials.
She said that the post has reduced the integrity of the agency to a tool being used for harassment by the Federal government, that the officials of the DSS carry out unsanctioned operations and that she and Ogunleye are incompetent and unprofessional operatives.
Documents of the suit as obtained by FIJ.
Documents of the suit as obtained by FIJ.
Documents of the suit as obtained by FIJ.
The first claimant stated that the defendants reduced the entire agency to ridicule and criticism from international bodies, local agencies and notable individuals. She maintained that there was no invasion and interrogation as announced by SERAP.
John also said she alongside Ogunleye, her colleague, had been suspended from the state service pending the outcome of the security agency’s investigation into the visit.
Meanwhile, Kola Oluwadare, the deputy director of SERAP, told FIJ on Friday that the defamation suit from the DSS is baseless and they would file counter-claims to ensure an end to the intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians.
BREAKING: We reject the baseless defamation lawsuit brought against us by the DSS, following the invasion of our Abuja office. We’re talking to our lawyers and will be filing our counter-claims. We’ll see in court to stop this intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians.— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) October 18, 2024
“We reject the baseless defamation lawsuit brought against us by the DSS, following the invasion of our Abuja office. We’re talking to our lawyers and will be filing our counter-claims. We’ll see in court to stop this intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” Oluwadare told FIJ.
As damages for what it called misleading information, the DSS demanded N5 billion and a 10% interest on the sum from the day the judgment is pronounced until it is liquidated, N50 million for the cost of their actions, apologies in two national dailies and on the defendant’s X page.
Documents of the suit as obtained by FIJ.
“An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the 1st defendant’s website, X (Twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the 1st defendant’s office and interrogating the 1st defendant’s staff,” the DSS said.
“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (Five Billion Naira) as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.
“Interest on the sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) at the rate of 10% per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.
“An order directing the defendants to pay the Claimants the sum of N50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) as costs of this action.”
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On September 9, SERAP alerted Nigerians to the presence of DSS officials at its Abuja office unlawfully occupying its premises and asking to see their directors.
“Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors. President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” it wrote.
Following the September incident, SERAP also told FIJ how the agency had demanded to speak with Oluwadare.
All this came after SERAP demanded President Bola Tinubu direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the unlawful hike in the price of fuel in the country.
The post DSS Operatives Sue SERAP, Demand N5bn Over ‘False Statements’ appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.
