Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Global human rights organisations for the past week have thrown their weight behind the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) following a N100 million defamation judgment awarded to two Department of State Services (DSS) officials, alleging that the anti-corruption group is being targeted through judicial processes for its advocacy work, in a case that has raised alarm over the weaponisation of defamation laws to silence civic voices in Nigeria.
The allegations were contained in an urgent appeal issued on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). According to the Observatory, SERAP has been subjected to intimidation, smear campaigns and threats after demanding investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The rights groups noted that on May 5, 2026, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja found SERAP liable for defamation in a suit filed by two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele. Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered the organisation to pay N100 million in damages, issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 per cent annual post‑judgment interest on the damages until fully paid. The lawsuit stemmed from a September 9, 2024, post by SERAP on X alleging that DSS officials had visited its Abuja office without prior notice and sought access to documents and management staff. SERAP had claimed at the time that the visit raised fears among employees that the office could be raided and staff arrested.
The Observatory linked the DSS visit to SERAP’s anti‑corruption advocacy, noting that it occurred shortly after the organisation publicly criticised petrol price increases and raised concerns over the operations of NNPCL. It further noted that on June 11, 2026, SERAP filed a separate lawsuit against NNPCL over its alleged failure to account for approximately N5.9 billion in expenditure. The rights organisations alleged that since appealing the court judgment, SERAP has faced continued pressure, including protests, negative media campaigns and threatening messages allegedly sent to staff by individuals believed to be linked to security agencies.
“The Observatory strongly condemns the judicial harassment targeting SERAP, which is likely to create a chilling effect on freedom of expression and civic participation,” the statement said. It warned that the case could encourage the use of legal actions as retaliation against civil society organisations, journalists, whistleblowers and human rights defenders engaged in public interest work. The observatory described the proceedings as a potential strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), arguing that the case appeared aimed at discouraging scrutiny of public institutions and restricting civic engagement.
The group also expressed concern that the judgment could undermine freedoms of association and expression protected under Nigeria’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The organisations called on Nigerian authorities to ensure a fair and independent appeal process for SERAP, end all forms of harassment against the organisation and investigate the corruption allegations it raised against NNPCL. They also urged the government to guarantee the safety of SERAP staff and protect the rights of human rights defenders to carry out their activities without intimidation, arbitrary detention or reprisals.
The rights groups’ intervention comes as SERAP, through its counsel Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), has filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the judgment was based on “fundamental legal and evidential errors”. SERAP maintained that the trial court relied on defective evidence, including a witness statement that was not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, and that the publications complained of did not mention the DSS officials by name or any unique identifier. The organisation also argued that an action commenced against a non‑juristic entity was fundamentally defective and could not be cured through amendment.
The development has drawn sharp reactions from civil society organisations in Nigeria, who have cautioned against what they described as the increasing use of defamation suits and coercive legal measures in matters involving anti‑corruption advocacy and public accountability. They argued that such actions may have a chilling effect on public‑interest work. Amnesty International had earlier condemned the judgment, describing it as an attack on free expression and civic space, and an example of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at deterring legitimate human rights advocacy.
The DSS has clarified that the defamation suit was instituted by the two operatives in their personal capacity and not by the agency itself. However, the Observatory and other rights groups have pointed to the broader context of threats, protests and negative media campaigns allegedly targeting SERAP since the judgment, suggesting a coordinated effort to suppress the organisation’s advocacy work. As the appeal proceeds, the case has become a flashpoint in the debate over the shrinking space for civil society in Nigeria, and a test of whether the courts will protect the right to criticise public institutions or become instruments of their defence.
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