The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has appealed the ₦100 million defamation judgement against it by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, in favour of officials of the State Security Service.

The appeal came after Justice Halilu ordered the organisation to pay ₦100 million in damages to SSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, over publications made on SERAP’s X handle alleging that the operatives unlawfully occupied its Abuja office in September 2024.

Justice Halilu also ordered the organisation to publish apologies on its website, in newspapers, and on television stations, aside from ₦1 million to be paid as litigation costs and 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest until full payment.

However, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Tuesday, SERAP described the high court judgement as a miscarriage of justice.

“The Notice of Appeal already filed will be amended upon receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment to incorporate key portions of the judgment that further highlight its flawed nature,” the organisation stated.

SERAP stated that its appeal was accompanied by an application for stay of execution, adding that it offered sufficient legal protection pending further proceedings.

Describing the judgment as defective, the organisation further accused the trial court of relying on flawed and unsupported by evidence.

“The decision rests on fundamental legal and evidential errors that go to the root of jurisdiction and fairness in adjudication. The court’s decision is therefore perverse and a nullity.

“The lower court erred in law by relying on the witness statement on oath of the 1st respondent when the 1st respondent admitted under cross-examination that the said statement was not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths,” it added.

According to the organisation, the publications in question did not directly identify the SSS officials personally by name, rank, photograph or any unique identifier.

SERAP said that enforcement of the judgement would affect its operations and disrupt ongoing human rights advocacy and accountability programmes.

“The effect of the decision of the court is that the operations of SERAP, Nigeria’s foremost accountability non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of human rights, rule of law, transparency, and accountability in governance, will be severely disrupted, if not entirely shut down,” it added.