The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the N100m defamation judgment awarded against it by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
A three-member panel presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi reserved judgment on Tuesday after hearing arguments from SERAP’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and counsel for the first and second respondents, O.S. Kehinde.
The appeal challenges the judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu.
Arguing the appeal, Oyetibo contended that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to award damages in favour of Sarah John over a publication allegedly referring to Sarah David.
He also questioned how the trial court verified the description of a “tall, large, dark-skinned” woman without a photograph, urging the appellate court to allow the appeal.
However, Kehinde urged the court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that SERAP failed to establish that Sarah John and Sarah David were different persons.
He added that a person could identify themselves from a publication through the description provided, even if their name was not expressly mentioned.
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 as amici curiae.
The applicants withdrew their applications after the court indicated that it saw “no need” for their intervention.
Justice Senchi said the date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.
More details later…
Nathaniel Shaibu is a correspondent at The PUNCH with three years of professional journalism experience. He covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil society, religion, and the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development. In addition to his primary beats, Nathaniel also reports on politics, metro, security, and judicial matters, bringing clarity and balance to a wide range of public-interest stories. His work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, strong beat knowledge, and a commitment to accurate, responsible journalism.
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