The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday adjourned until Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the hearing of two separate appeals seeking to set aside a High Court judgment that ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and its Deputy Director to pay N100 million in damages for defaming two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The two appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1114/2026 and CA/ABJ/CV/1105/2026, were scheduled for hearing during the morning session at the Court of Appeal complex in Abuja before a three-member panel presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi.
Proceedings were stalled after legal representatives informed the court that the second appeal was not yet ripe for hearing due to the timing of brief filings. Addressing the court, counsel to the second appellant, Hannah Ayanwale, disclosed that her team filed the appellant’s brief of argument on Thursday, October 8, and served the respondents in court on Friday morning.
Acknowledging the delay in service, Ayanwale requested an adjournment to enable the respondents adequate time to digest the brief and file their response. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tayo Oyetibo, representing the primary appellant, SERAP, also confirmed the status of filings before the appellate court. Consequent upon the submissions, Justice Senchi adjourned the matter to October 13 for the continuation of hearing.
The legal battle stems from a May 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The lower court had found SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, liable for libeling two DSS operatives following a statement published on September 10, 2024. The publication alleged that officers of the secret police unlawfully invaded SERAP’s Abuja office and harassed its staff members.
Dissatisfied with Justice Halilu’s ruling, which awarded N100 million in damages and N1 million in legal costs against the advocacy group, SERAP approached the appellate court to overturn the decision.
In its notice of appeal, SERAP contends that the trial judge erred in law, arguing that the claimants failed to establish personal identification or prove malice.
The civil society organisation maintains that statements regarding public officers performing official functions fall under the protective canopy of freedom of expression guaranteed under Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The appellate court will resume hearing on both appeals on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
