The Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a N5.5 billion defamatory suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The DSS said SERAP made false claim that its operatives invaded SERAP’s office in Abuja.

The DSS, in the suit filed in the names of two of its officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, stated that the alleged false claim by SERAP negatively impacted on its reputation and that of the two officials involved.

The suit was filed on Thursday, October 17, 2024, by the security outfit through its team of lawyers, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

In the suit marked: CV/4547/2024, the DSS sued SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as first and second defendants.

The service, in its statement of claim, averred that in line with its practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in Abuja to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two of its officials to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.

It said in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on Sept. 9 and met with one Ruth.

It said Ruth, upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

The DSS, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number.

It said it was surprising that shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X account, claiming that DSS officers were unlawfully occupying its office.

DSS speaks on ‘invasion’ of SERAP Abuja, Lagos offices

The DSS stated: “On the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits.

“SERAP alleging that some officers from the DSS, described as ‘a fall, large, dark-skinned woman’ and ‘a slim, dark skinned man,’ invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant.

“In their statement, the defendants also urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately direct the DSS to end its intimidation, harassment and attack against the first defendant and the threat of arrest against its directors.

“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana, SAN.

“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

The agency added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because the staff and management of the DSS had formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.

It also stated that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because staff of the DSS had formed the opinion that the ridicule and criticisms received by the DSS are a result of the claimants’ actions.

It added that as a result of the defendants’ false statements, the claimants are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the DSS.

It said John and Ogundele had been made to make statements, subjected to interrogations, faced a disciplinary panel and now suspended from the DSS pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

The service, therefore, prayed the court for an order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP) website and X account.

The case assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court has yet to be scheduled for hearing.

The Star