The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has rapped the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for describing as "a travesty" Tuesday's judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), awarding N100 million in damages against the NGO. In addition to the N100 million, the court ordered SERAP to publish apologies in two national newspapers and two television stations to the two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives defamed by the NGO.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will on Tuesday deliver judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation suit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Incorporated Trustees of Socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The group had on September 9, 2024, alleged that DSS operatives "unlawfully invaded" its Abuja office under the guise of wanting to see their directors. SERAP, in social media posts, claimed that, not only did the operatives invade and unlawfully occupy its Abuja office, but that they harassed staff members.

* Trial for May 25 as lawyer fails to apply for bail

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned Chidiebere Justice Mark aka Justice Crack, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime. Mark, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army over the weekend, was accused of circulating false information in a viral video, and accompanying statements, through his X handle regarding alleged inadequate feeding of soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

The federal government has initiated plans to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The move comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living and working in the country. In a statement issued on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu has approved the provision of evacuation flights for citizens willing to return home. The directive underscores the government's response to escalating tensions.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has said that a monthly salary of N1 million would hold little value for workers if the naira remains weak and economic conditions fail to improve. Its President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja, where he also ruled out a nationwide protest on May 1.

Fixes May 18 for hearing

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, thwarted a move by Tope Temokun, counsel to online publisher and politician, Omoyele Sowore, to secure a month's adjournment in a suit he filed against the Department of State Services (DSS) and Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook and X). The judge expressed surprise that Temokun, who as counsel to the plantiff, ordinarily should be interested in a speedy adjudication, would seek a month's adjournment. He overruled the counsel and fixed May 18 for hearing.