From Premium Times Nigeria · Emmanuel Agbo · · 3m
Appeal court sets date for SERAP's N100m defamation hearing
Court to schedule fresh hearing for SERAP's appeal against SSS's N100m defamation ruling.
In brief
Court to schedule fresh hearing for SERAP's appeal against SSS's N100m defamation ruling. Court of Appeal in Abuja will set date for fresh hearing of SERAP's appeal against SSS's N100m defamation judgement. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Appeal court to issue date
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The presiding justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal is to determine a fresh hearing date for both appeals and communicate it to the parties.
Vacated order reserving judgement
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday vacated an earlier order reserving judgement in the defamation appeal involving SERAP and two SSS officers, directing that case be rescheduled for fresh hearing.
Appeals marked CA/ABJ/CV/1114/2026
The appeals are marked CA/ABJ/CV/1114/2.
Judge Senchi's directive
All the two files are hereby returned to the Presiding Justice, Abuja Division … for decision on a date for hearing of both appeals that is going to be communicated to the parties.
Lawyer seeks amendment
Mr Oluwadare’s lawyer, Oluwatosin Adesioye, sought permission to amend the prayers in an application concerning additional records of appeal and an extension of time to challenge the lower court’s decision.
Court finds amendment difficult
But Mr Senchi said the court was finding it difficult to grant the prayers and advised the lawyer to refine the application.
Application withdrawn
Mr Adesioye subsequently withdrew it, and the court struck it out without objection from the respondents.
International groups withdraw
The court also considered applications by Columbia University, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre to participate in the appeal…
Applications withdrawn
Lawyer for the applicants said the case raised questions about constitutional and fundamental rights with implications beyond Nigeria.
Court strikes out applications
Mr Senchi noted that the applicants were not parties to the original suit and that their participation was subject to the court’s discretion.
Defamation suit details
In the judgement being challenged on appeal, Judge Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court awarded N100 million in damages against SERAP and Mr Oluwadare in favour of two SSS officers, Sarah John and Gabriel…
Defamation claim basis
The suit arose from publications SERAP made on its website and X account on 9 September 2024, alleging that DSS operatives had invaded its Abuja office and harassed a staff member.
Trial court ruling
The trial court held that the publications were defamatory. It also ordered the defendants to publish apologies in two national newspapers, on two television stations and on SERAP’s website.
Trial court costs
The court awarded N1 million in litigation costs and imposed 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until payment.
SERAP's appeal
SERAP and Mr Oluwadare are asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the decision.
The headline
Court of Appeal in Abuja will set date for fresh hearing of SERAP's appeal against SSS's N100m defamation judgement.
