The long-running legal clash between Nigeria’s secret police and a prominent civil society group hits a decisive moment today, as the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja prepares to rule on a high-stakes ₦5.5 billion defamation suit.
Filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the case targets the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, over explosive claims of an unlawful office invasion.
The plaintiffs, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, dragged SERAP to court following allegations that DSS officers stormed the Organisation’s Abuja office in September 2024.
The controversy began when SERAP, in posts published on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on September 9, 2024, accused operatives of the State Security Service of illegally occupying its office and demanding access to its directors. The group went further, calling on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and halt what it described as harassment and intimidation.
But the DSS pushed back hard, dismissing the claims as false. The Agency insisted the visit was routine – merely an official familiarisation with SERAP’s new leadership – and denied any wrongdoing, including harassment or assault.
Unconvinced, the two operatives filed a ₦5.5bn lawsuit, arguing that SERAP’s publication painted them as rogue officers, tarnished their image, and subjected them to embarrassment and internal disciplinary consequences.
SERAP, however, has refused to back down.
In a statement dated November 26, 2025, Oluwadare reaffirmed the Organisation’s stance, maintaining that its account of events was accurate and backed by court filings handled by senior lawyers, including Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN.
Court proceedings revealed that witnesses testified no physical assault took place during the DSS visit. Oluwadare also told the court that the report of the alleged invasion originated from information provided by SERAP’s front-desk officer, Vivian Amadi.
At the final hearing on February 19, 2026, counsel to the DSS operatives, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, urged the court to grant all requested reliefs, arguing that the publication clearly referred to his clients and damaged their reputation within their professional circle.
Presiding Judge, Justice Halilu Yusuf, reserved judgment in the case marked CV/4547/2024 – a verdict now set to be delivered today.
