The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned hearing in appeals filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, challenging a ₦101 million defamation judgment.
The appeals, scheduled for hearing on Friday, were postponed after the court was informed that Oluwadare’s brief was filed on Thursday and served on the respondents shortly before the sitting.
When the matter was called, counsel to Oluwadare, Hannah Ayanwale, told the three-member panel that the appeal was not ready for hearing because the necessary filing requirements had not been completed.
The explanation reportedly displeased the justices, who expressed concern that the court had not been informed earlier that the matter was not ready for hearing.
The panel, presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi, had commenced proceedings in SERAP’s separate appeal before deciding that both matters should be heard together because they arose from the same judgment.
The court consequently set aside the proceedings already conducted in SERAP’s appeal and adjourned both matters until October 13.
It directed the respondents to file their briefs by October 12, while the appellant was ordered to file a reply brief before the next hearing.
The appeals challenge a May 5 judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in a defamation suit instituted by two Department of State Services officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele.
The officials had sued SERAP and Oluwadare over publications on the organisation’s website and social media platforms alleging that DSS personnel invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024, and harassed its officials.
In his judgment, Justice Halilu Yusuf held that the claimants had established the elements of defamation and rejected the defendants’ defence of justification.
The judge ruled that SERAP and Oluwadare failed to substantiate their allegations, particularly their description of the incident as an “invasion,” “forceful entry” and “harassment.”
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He noted that the defendants had admitted during the trial that the DSS officials did not force their way into the organisation’s premises or brandish weapons.
Justice Yusuf further held that the publications harmed the professional reputations of the claimants and caused them mental and psychological distress.
The court also dismissed the defendants’ objection to the competence of the suit, ruling that the claimants had the legal standing to institute the action and that the court had jurisdiction to entertain it.
The judge awarded ₦100 million in damages against SERAP and Oluwadare, alongside ₦1 million in costs.
He also ordered the defendants to publish a public apology on SERAP’s website and X account, in two national newspapers and on two television stations.
Additionally, the judgment sum was ordered to attract annual interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until full payment.
The Court of Appeal is expected to hear the challenges to the judgment when the matter resumes on October 13.