By Wale Rayners/ABUJA// The Department of State Services (DSS) last week debunked the insinuation it has a case against SERAP’ in court. The DSS, according to its Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications said the root of the case and its attendant judgment delivered in favour of two officials of DSS who instituted the litigation is not properly put in its right perspective.
The DSS 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.
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 N100m to the duo. In addition, the Court ordered
SERAP to issue an apology on its website, as well as in Punch and Vanguard newspapers. The apology is also to run on Arise and Channels TV stations. The court added that the N100 million awarded to the operatives as general damages shall attract a 10% interest rate per annum from May 5, 2026, until the sum is fully paid.
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.
As such, the Service expresses happiness over the remedy to the injustice SERAP did to its officers.
Importantly, DSS reaffirms its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law.
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