Crime/Social Justice
SERAP witness admits to false claims in N5.5 Billion defamation suit against DSS operatives
Written By: Udo Inobeme
25 Nov 2025 04:41 AM
Abuja, FCT – A dramatic development unfolded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday, November 24, 2025, as the defamation suit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) took a significant turn.
SERAP’s witness, Kolawole Oluwadare, admitted under cross-examination that the organization’s earlier allegations of an "unlawful invasion" by DSS officers were unfounded, marking a potential setback for the NGO.
The suit, instituted by DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, seeks N5 billion in damages, a public apology across major media platforms, N50 million in litigation costs, and interest on the judgment sum.
The operatives allege that SERAP’s publications on September 9, 2024, falsely accused them of storming the NGO’s Abuja office, intimidating, and harassing staff, an account that drew widespread attention and criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, and prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).
During the court proceedings, Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, conceded that he was not present at the office during the DSS visit and based his statements on information provided by receptionist Vivian Amadi. He admitted to using strong language, including "unlawful invasion, intimidation, and harassment," in publications posted on SERAP’s website and X account.
However, under scrutiny from the claimants’ counsel, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, Oluwadare acknowledged that the DSS operatives neither broke into the building nor assaulted anyone, and no property was seized or damaged.
He further confirmed that the officers did not display weapons and that he failed to contact the DSS for clarification before publishing the allegations.
The DSS operatives maintain that their visit was a routine outreach to establish a relationship with SERAP’s new leadership, following standard practice for engaging NGOs in the FCT. They claim they met a staff member, Ruth, who advised them to send a formal letter, after which they left promptly.
The subsequent SERAP statements, they argue, misrepresented the encounter, damaging their professional reputations within the DSS and portraying them as incompetent and unprofessional.
The admission has intensified scrutiny on SERAP, an NGO known for its advocacy on human rights and accountability, which also disclosed having both local and international fund donors. The false claims had previously sparked outrage, with calls for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and end alleged harassment by the DSS.
However, the latest court revelations suggest the incident may have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication.
The operatives’ counsel argued that the publications caused significant harm to their clients’ standing, prompting the N5.5 billion defamation suit after SERAP failed to retract or apologize despite appeals from the DSS.
The case has now been adjourned by Justice Halilu Yusuf to February 19, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses, leaving the public and legal community awaiting the court’s final ruling.
This case highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility to verify information, especially in high-stakes allegations involving security agencies.
As the legal battle continues, it may set a precedent for how NGOs and government bodies navigate disputes over public statements.
For now, all eyes are on the next court date, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for SERAP’s credibility and the DSS operatives’ quest for redress.
SERAP’s witness, Kolawole Oluwadare, admitted under cross-examination that the organization’s earlier allegations of an "unlawful invasion" by DSS officers were unfounded, marking a potential setback for the NGO.
The suit, instituted by DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, seeks N5 billion in damages, a public apology across major media platforms, N50 million in litigation costs, and interest on the judgment sum.
The operatives allege that SERAP’s publications on September 9, 2024, falsely accused them of storming the NGO’s Abuja office, intimidating, and harassing staff, an account that drew widespread attention and criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, and prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).
During the court proceedings, Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, conceded that he was not present at the office during the DSS visit and based his statements on information provided by receptionist Vivian Amadi. He admitted to using strong language, including "unlawful invasion, intimidation, and harassment," in publications posted on SERAP’s website and X account.
However, under scrutiny from the claimants’ counsel, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, Oluwadare acknowledged that the DSS operatives neither broke into the building nor assaulted anyone, and no property was seized or damaged.
He further confirmed that the officers did not display weapons and that he failed to contact the DSS for clarification before publishing the allegations.
The DSS operatives maintain that their visit was a routine outreach to establish a relationship with SERAP’s new leadership, following standard practice for engaging NGOs in the FCT. They claim they met a staff member, Ruth, who advised them to send a formal letter, after which they left promptly.
The subsequent SERAP statements, they argue, misrepresented the encounter, damaging their professional reputations within the DSS and portraying them as incompetent and unprofessional.
The admission has intensified scrutiny on SERAP, an NGO known for its advocacy on human rights and accountability, which also disclosed having both local and international fund donors. The false claims had previously sparked outrage, with calls for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and end alleged harassment by the DSS.
However, the latest court revelations suggest the incident may have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication.
The operatives’ counsel argued that the publications caused significant harm to their clients’ standing, prompting the N5.5 billion defamation suit after SERAP failed to retract or apologize despite appeals from the DSS.
The case has now been adjourned by Justice Halilu Yusuf to February 19, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses, leaving the public and legal community awaiting the court’s final ruling.
This case highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility to verify information, especially in high-stakes allegations involving security agencies.
As the legal battle continues, it may set a precedent for how NGOs and government bodies navigate disputes over public statements.
For now, all eyes are on the next court date, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for SERAP’s credibility and the DSS operatives’ quest for redress.
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