The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), challenging a N100 million defamation judgment awarded against the organisation by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
A three-member panel presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi reserved judgment on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after hearing arguments from lawyers representing SERAP and the respondents.
The appellate court said the date for delivering its judgment would be communicated to the parties.
SERAP Challenges High Court Ruling
SERAP is challenging a judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu, which found the organisation liable for defamation over publications concerning an alleged visit by Department of State Services (DSS) officials to its Abuja office in September 2024.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, SERAP’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to award damages in favour of Sarah John over a publication the organisation maintained referred to another person, Sarah David.
Oyetibo also questioned how the trial court established the identity of the person described in the publication as a “tall, large, dark-skinned” woman without relying on a photograph.
He urged the Court of Appeal to overturn the lower court’s decision.
Respondents Urge Court to Dismiss Appeal
However, counsel to the first and second respondents, O.S. Kehinde, urged the appellate court to dismiss SERAP’s appeal.
Kehinde argued that the organisation had failed to establish that Sarah John and Sarah David were different individuals.
He also maintained that a person could recognise themselves from a publication based on the description provided, even where their name was not expressly mentioned.
The dispute arose from publications issued by SERAP in September 2024 concerning allegations that security operatives entered its Abuja office after the organisation called for action over alleged corruption at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and increases in fuel prices.
Applications by International Organisations Withdrawn
The court also struck out applications filed by Columbia University, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly, and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre.
The organisations had sought permission to participate in the appeal as amici curiae, meaning friends of the court who provide assistance on relevant legal issues.
They withdrew their applications after the panel indicated that it saw no need for their intervention in the proceedings.
The Court of Appeal’s forthcoming judgment will determine the outcome of SERAP’s challenge to the lower court’s ruling. Until then, the appeal remains unresolved.
Hashtags: #SERAP #CourtOfAppeal #DefamationCase #NigerianJudiciary #FreedomOfExpression #HumanRights #DSS #Abuja #OnPointGist
