Judge's Absence Stalls DSS' N5.5bn defamation suit against SERAP
The absence of Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday stalled hearing in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), by two aggrieved operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The hearing earlier fixed for November 12 was put forward to November 24 following information that the Judge was indisposed and would not be in court.
A Registrar of the court, Mr A. O Yinka informed lawyers and litigants present in the court that he had the instruction of the Judge to announce his inability to be in court.
He thereafter asked lawyers involved in the pending matters to meet and agree on convenient dates for their cases, which they did.
However, that of the DSS operatives was adjourned to November 24 for SERAP to open its defence in the suit against it.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Akinlolu Thomas Kehinde filed the suit on behalf of the two plaintiffs while SERAP’s lawyer for defence is Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN).
The two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, had filed the action against SERAP on the grounds that the organization defamed them with baseless accusations in media publications.
Specifically, the two claimants alleged that SERAP defamed them with claims that they unlawfully invaded their office, thereby putting their reputation as law-abiding security operatives in jeopardy.
They, therefore, pleaded with the court to order SERAP to pay them ₦5.5 billion as compensation for damages suffered.
The claimants also applied to the judge to issue an order of perpetual injunction against SERAP, restraining it from further defaming them.
At the last proceedings of October 16, SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), wrote the court informing it that he would not be able to attend the session.
The senior lawyer had stated that he had a matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos and pleaded for an adjournment till November 12.
Counsel to the claimants, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), had admitted receiving the letter and the apology and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.
Justice Halilu had on the date fixed November 12 for SERAP to defend itself in the defamation suit but which has now been shifted to November 24.
