The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied instituting the defamation suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The secret police said the suit was filed by two of its operatives who felt the need to seek redress in their personal capacity.
On Tuesday, Papers News reported that the Federal Capital Territory High Court awarded ₦100 million in damages to two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, against SERAP.
The presiding judge, Yusuf Halilu, also ordered SERAP to issue public apologies, pay N1m in litigation costs and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until the sum is fully paid.
The suit followed statements issued by SERAP in September 2024, alleging that operatives of the DSS unlawfully entered its Abuja office.
Reacting to the judgment, SERAP described the ruling as unacceptable and a setback for civic freedoms.
‘Suit Not Between DSS, SERAP’
In a statement on Wednesday, the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the two operatives obtained the approval of the Director-General of the agency before approaching the court.
Dozie said the DSS had an obligation to protect its officials who carried out their duties lawfully.
The statement read, “The Service hereby reiterates that, the suit was not between DSS as an organisation and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
“Rather, it was a case filed by two of our operatives, who in the course of their lawful duty, felt defamed by SERAP, claiming that they, on September 9, 2024, unlawfully invaded their Abuja office and harassed their staff.”
The DSS said it investigated the allegations made by SERAP against the operatives before they proceeded to court.
It added, “An investigation into the claims by SERAP against the operatives was immediately initiated.
“Following the outcome of the investigation, the said operatives felt the need to seek redress in their personal capacity and subsequently sought and obtained the approval of the Director-General, State Services, to approach the Court. The Court granted their reliefs and awarded the sum of ₦100m to the duo.”
The agency said it remained committed to protecting lawful officers while sanctioning those who violate the law.
“As an Agency, DSS has an obligation to protect its staff who carry out their duties in a lawful manner. At the same time, sanction erring operatives found to have breached the Nigerian laws and our extant regulations.
“We have demonstrated this time and again by prosecuting some of our staff for various offenses in competent courts,” the statement added.
