Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has publicly distanced itself from a statement criticising the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project over a recent court judgement involving operatives of the Department of State Services.
The clarification followed controversy surrounding a judgement delivered by an FCT High Court ordering SERAP to pay ₦100 million in damages and ₦1 million in legal costs to two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, over defamatory claims.
According to reports, a statement previously circulated in the name of the CDHR had criticised SERAP over the judgement and reportedly urged the organisation to apologise to the DSS officers involved. However, the human rights group has now formally rejected the statement, saying it did not originate from the organisation’s recognised leadership.
In a fresh statement signed by its National President, Debo Adeniran, and National Publicity Secretary, Idris Afees Olayinka, CDHR declared that the earlier statement was unauthorised and did not reflect the organisation’s official position.
The organisation further affirmed SERAP’s constitutional right to challenge the judgement through the appellate process, stressing that access to appeal remains a fundamental part of Nigeria’s legal system. CDHR stated that no individual or organisation should be denied the opportunity to seek judicial review of a court decision through lawful channels.
The underlying legal dispute stemmed from claims allegedly made by SERAP concerning the DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele. The operatives subsequently filed a defamation suit against the civic organisation, leading to the Federal Capital Territory High Court judgement awarding damages in their favour.
Following the ruling, SERAP announced plans to appeal the judgement, arguing that the decision raises important issues concerning civic advocacy, accountability and freedom of expression within Nigeria’s democratic system.
The latest intervention by CDHR has now added another dimension to the controversy, especially within Nigeria’s human rights community where debates have emerged over the implications of the judgement for advocacy groups and civil society activism.
Founded in 1989, CDHR remains one of Nigeria’s oldest human rights organisations and has historically played prominent roles in campaigns relating to democracy, civil liberties and accountability.
SERAP, meanwhile, is widely known for public interest litigation and anti-corruption advocacy, frequently filing lawsuits and petitions against government institutions and public officials over transparency and governance issues.
Legal analysts note that the case could attract wider national attention if it proceeds to the appellate courts, particularly regarding the balance between reputational rights, public accountability campaigns and protections for civic expression.
As of the time of reporting, neither the DSS operatives nor SERAP had issued any new statement responding specifically to CDHR’s latest position.
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