Two operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, have taken the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to court over alleged false accusations.
Their lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), filed suit CV/4547/2024 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on October 17, 2024.
The operatives claim SERAP’s Twitter post falsely stated they invaded and interrogated staff at SERAP’s Abuja office, damaging their reputation.
According to John, in a 43-paragraph statement, the DSS sent them to invite SERAP’s new leadership for a familiarization meeting on September 9, 2024.
However, SERAP tweeted, “Officers from Nigeria’s DSS are unlawfully occupying SERAP’s Abuja office, asking to see our directors. President Tinubu must direct the SSS to end harassment, intimidation and attack on Nigerians’ rights.”
The tweet went viral, attracting public condemnation, including from senior lawyer Femi Falana. John and Ogunleye face ongoing DSS investigation, suspension and ostracism by colleagues, alleging they carried out an unauthorized operation.
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John, in a 43 paragraph statement of claim, said while she and Ogunleye had driven to SERAP’s office in the Wuse area of the FCT and “were not followed by any other car or escorted by any other person,” SERAP, shortly after they left its office premises, posted on X, saying “officers from Nigeria’s DSS are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors. President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians”.
“Several attempts have been made by members of the public to identify the claimants as the tall, large, dark-skinned woman and the slim, dark-skinned man,” the deponent said.
They further claimed that SERAP’s statements caused harm to their reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation.
“The defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because staff of the DSS have formed the opinion that the ridicule and criticisms received by the DSS are a result of the claimants actions.
“As a result of the defendants’ false statements, the claimants are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the DSS. The claimants were made to make statements, were subject to interrogations and faced a disciplinary panel.
“The claimants have been suspended from the DSS pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
“The ongoing investigation has placed a huge emotional and psychological toll on the claimants.
“The claimants have been ostracized by their colleagues at the DSS because staff of the DSS believe that the claimants carried out an unauthorised operation that has brought disrepute to the DSS,” the deponent added.
The operatives seek:
– Public Apology: Directing SERAP to apologize via its website, Twitter handle, two national newspapers and two TV stations.
– Damages: N5 billion for alleged libelous statements.
– Cost of Action: Additional N50 million.
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