A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has shifted hearing in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by two aggrieved operatives of the Department of the State Service DSS to November 12.
Justice Halilu Yusuf on Thursday, shifted hearing in the suit following the absence of SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, in court.
The two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, had filed the action against SERAP on the ground that the organization defamed them with baseless accusations in media publications.
Specifically, the two claimants alleged that SERAP defamed with allegations that they unlawfully invaded their office, thereby putting their reputation, as law abiding security operatives, in jeopardy.
They therefore pleaded with the court to order SERAP to pay them N5.5Bn as compensation for damages they suffered.
The two claimants also applied to the judge to issue order of perpetual injunction against SERAP restraining it from further defaming them.
However, at Thursday’s proceeding, SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, wrote a letter to the court informing it that he would not be able to attend the proceedings.
The senior lawyer claimed that he had a matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos and pleaded for an adjournment till November 12.
Counsel to the claimant, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN admitted receiving the letter and the apology and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.
Justice Halilu subsequently fixed November 12 for SERAP to defend itself in the defamation suit.