The court earlier on Tuesday awarded N100 million damages against SERAP as compensation for defamation of two operatives of two operatives of the SSS.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected what it described as the “seriously flawed judgement” of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja given in favour of the State Security Service (SSS) on Tuesday.
The court also directed the organisation to issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully paid.
“This judgment is totally unacceptable to us,” SERAP said in a statement in reaction to the judgement, vowing to immediately appeal against it.
It added, “It is a travesty and a serious blow to civic space in Nigeria. It reflects a troubling pattern under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using defamation laws to punish legitimate criticism and suppress accountability.
“We have instructed our lawyers Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN to immediately appeal this judgment.”
The SSS operatives sued SERAP in October 2024, accusing the non-governmental organisation of falsely claiming that its operatives, in September 2024, invaded its Abuja office.
Two operatives of the SSS – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – allegedly defamed by SERAP’s claim were joined as co-claimants.
“It cannot be challenged that there was defamation against the claimants,” the judge ruled.
He said the publication suggested that the officers occupied SERAP’s office unlawfully and harassed its staff. He said it portrayed them as acting without authority and lacking professional character.
‘Textbook example of judicial harrassment’
SERAP criticised the judgement as a form of judicial harassment.
“This case represents a textbook example of judicial harassment and a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), designed to intimidate civil society and deter legitimate human rights advocacy,” the statement said.
It added, “The Tinubu government is misusing both the SSS and the judicial system to target activists, journalists, and ordinary Nigerians who are peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights.”
It added that instead of deploying state institutions to intimidate critics, “the government should protect those working to expose corruption, including allegations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.”
The organisation said: “We strongly disagree with the judgment, which fails to reflect the evidence presented before the court and disregards Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.”
“This judgment sends a dangerous message and creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression, civic participation, and anti-corruption work,” it said.
Read SERAP’s full statement below.
SSS unlawful invasion: Judgment against us a travesty and dangerous precedent’, says SERAP
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected what it described as the “seriously flawed judgment” of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, in the N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit filed against the organisation by two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory today ordered SERAP to pay N100 million in damages to the DSS officials for alleged defamation. The court also directed the organisation to issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully paid.
Reacting, SERAP in a statement said, “This judgment is totally unacceptable to us. It is a travesty and a serious blow to civic space in Nigeria. It reflects a troubling pattern under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using defamation laws to punish legitimate criticism and suppress accountability.”
SERAP said, “We have instructed our lawyers Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN to immediately appeal this judgment.”
The statement, read in part: “This case represents a textbook example of judicial harassment and a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), designed to intimidate civil society and deter legitimate human rights advocacy.”
“The Tinubu government is misusing both the DSS and the judicial system to target activists, journalists, and ordinary Nigerians who are peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights.”
“Rather than deploying state institutions to intimidate critics, the government should be protecting those working to expose corruption, including allegations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.”
“We strongly disagree with the judgment, which fails to reflect the evidence presented before the court and disregards Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.”
“This judgment sends a dangerous message and creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression, civic participation, and anti-corruption work.”
“Strategic lawsuits against public participation undermine the rule of law by diverting judicial processes from their proper purpose—justice—to repression.”
“Courts have a duty to prevent the misuse of legal proceedings and to safeguard the rights to freedom of expression and association.”
