Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has adjourned the ₦5.5 billion defamation case brought against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by two DSS operatives to 12 November.
The adjournment followed the absence of SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa SAN, in court.
The claimants, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, allege that SERAP defamed them in a media publication by accusing them of unlawfully invading an office, damaging their reputations as law-abiding security officers. They are seeking ₦5.5 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamation.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Adegboruwa informed the court via letter that he could not attend due to a matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos and requested the adjournment. Counsel for the claimants, Akinlolu Kehinde, did not oppose the request.
Justice Halilu fixed 12 November for SERAP to respond to the suit.