JUST IN: A’Court reserves judgment in SERAP’s N100m defamation case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against a N100m defamation judgment awarded against it by the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The three-member panel, presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi, heard arguments from SERAP’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and counsel for the first and second respondents, O.S.

Kehinde. Oyetibo contended that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to award damages in favor of Sarah John over a publication allegedly referring to Sarah David, questioning how the trial court verified the description of a “tall, large, dark-skinned” woman without a photograph. However, Kehinde urged the court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that SERAP failed to establish that Sarah John and Sarah David were different persons.

The court also struck out applications by Columbia University, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly, and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre seeking to participate in the appeal. Justice Senchi stated that the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties.

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