The absence of Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday stalled the hearing in a N5.5 billion defamation suit filed against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, by two dissatisfied DSS operatives. The previously scheduled hearing on November 12 was moved to November 24 due to the Judge's inability to appear in court.
Mr A. O Yinka, Registrar of the Court, advised lawyers and litigants present in court that he had been instructed by the Judge to proclaim his inability to be in court. He then invited the lawyers concerned in the ongoing matters to meet and agree on convenient dates for their cases, which they did.
However, the case involving the DSS agents was postponed until November 24 so that SERAP could begin its defense in the action against it.
Akinlolu Thomas Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed the claim on behalf of the two plaintiffs, while Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) represents SERAP in defence.
Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, two DSS operatives, sued SERAP, alleging that the group defamed them in a media publication.
The two plaintiffs claimed that SERAP defamed them by falsely accusing them of illegally invading their office, jeopardizing their reputation as law-abiding security officers. They asked the court to order SERAP to pay them ₦5.5 billion in damages.
The claimants also asked the judge to grant a lifelong injunction against SERAP, preventing it from further defaming them.
At the recent hearings on October 16, SERAP's counsel, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), informed the court that he would be unable to attend the session.
The senior lawyer stated that he had an issue before the Court of Appeal in Lagos and requested an adjournment until November 12.
Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), counsel for the plaintiffs, accepted receiving the letter, apologies, and did not contest the request for an adjournment.
Justice Halilu had set November 12 as the date for SERAP to defend itself in the defamation claim, but this has now been moved to November 24.