By Uche Onyeali
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has fixed March 21 to begin definite hearing on a case of defamation filed by two officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP.
The DSS officers had last October, filed a defamation suit against SERAP after the organisation failed to apologise for accusing them of unlawfully invading its Abuja office a month earlier.
Among the reliefs sought by the DSS officers are N5 billion in damages, an apology published on SERAP’s website, social media and in national newspapers and television stations.
In addition, the officers are demanding N50 million for legal cost and 10 percent annual interest on the N5 billion until payment is made in full.
When the matter came up for definitive hearing yesterday, SERAP’s legal team raised several interlocutory applications and objections, which centred on the court’s jurisdiction, that they were not properly served and that the DSS officials lack the legal standing to sue since they are affiliated with the agency.
Counsel to the second defendant, Hannan Anyowale prayed the court to discountenance the counter affidavit filed by the plaintiff and grant their application to strike out the matter.
Also, Divine Oguru, who appeared for the first defendant (SERAP), adopted the submissions of the second defendant.
However, the presiding judge, Yusuf Halilu said all the processes for definite hearing were intact and that the court is ready to begin hearing into the matter.
Wondering why the second defendant had already filed defence on the matter, the judge, however, urged that whatever objections the defendants have, be submitted to the court so that they can be determined and hearing can commence.
This, the judge said, was to avoid going back and forth on the matter.
He adjourned the hearing to next week after consultations by counsels on the matter.
Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiff, A.T Kehinde (SAN), who appeared with two others, described the submission of the defendant as lacking in merit and aimed at annoying, frustrating and wasting the time of the court.
He said they had responded to all the objections and are ready for the hearing to begin.
