Invasion: Court Hears DSS, SERAP Case Today

A Federal Capital Territory court will, today, hear the bogus lawsuit brought by the Department of State Services, DSS, against Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP.

Two senior lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN will represent SERAP in court before Justice Yusuf Halilu, Court 13.

SERAP had in September stated that the DSS invaded its Abuja office, following the organisation’s letter calling on president Bola Tinubu to probe allegations of corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and to reverse the increase in the pump price of petrol.

The DSS then issued a statement claiming that the visit to SERAP’s office was “a routine investigation” but two of its officials subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against SERAP, claiming over N5 billion in damages.”

On 17th September 2024 the DSS had, through their Solicitor, Dr Alex Izinyon, written to SERAP in respect of this matter in which they stated that the publication of SERAP complained of in this Suit was made of and concerning the DSS, and not the two DSS officials.

By a letter dated 23rd day of September 2024, SERAP’s Solicitors Messrs Tayo Oyetibo LP rejected the demands of the DSS as contained in their Solicitor’s letter.

It was after the exchange of correspondence between the DSS and SERAP, that the two DSS officials instituted this Suit based upon false facts that the publication was made of and concerning them.

The DSS has made contradictory statements as to the purpose of their unannounced visit and presence in SERAP’s Abuja office.

The DSS in their public statement which was issued on 10th September 2024 confirmed that they visited SERAP’s office on 9th September 2024 ‘on a routine investigation’.

The purpose of the ‘visit’ to SERAP’s Abuja office as contained in the said public statement by the DSS is completely different from the purpose contained in paragraph 5 of the claimants’, to the effect that: ‘in line with its practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed its two officials to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.’

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