Two civil society organisations have urged the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to comply with a federal capital territory high court judgment in a defamation suit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The groups, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV), said respect for court judgments remains vital to the protection of democracy and the rule of law.
In a statement jointly signed by Debo Adeniran, CDHR President and the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Jeremiah Onyibe, the group said freedom of expression and public criticism must be exercised within the limits of the law.
According to CDHR, the court found that allegations published against the DSS operatives were defamatory and damaging to their professional reputation after reviewing evidence presented before it.
The organisation urged SERAP to comply with all directives contained in the judgment while pursuing any appeal process.
“The rule of law remains the foundation of every democratic society. Human rights advocacy must coexist with accountability, fairness and respect for due process,” the statement read.
The group also cautioned against comments capable of undermining the judiciary or weakening public confidence in state institutions without credible evidence.
Similarly, CAIDOV criticised SERAP’s reaction to the judgment, accusing the organisation of attempting to ridicule the court’s decision.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki, the group alleged that SERAP continued to maintain claims on its X account that DSS operatives invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024.
Soloki argued that human rights organisations should not violate the rights of others under the guise of free speech.
“Human rights is universal. It is for everybody. We should not trample on the rights of others simply because they chose to be security agents,” he said.
CAIDOV also defended the N100 million damages awarded against SERAP, saying the fine was not excessive when compared with sanctions imposed on international firms over misconduct.
The DSS had earlier clarified that the suit was filed by the two operatives in their personal capacities and not by the agency itself.
According to the Service, the officers approached the court after accusing SERAP of falsely alleging that DSS operatives invaded its Abuja office and harassed staff members.
The FCT High Court ruled in favour of the operatives and awarded N100 million damages against SERAP. The court also ordered the organisation to publish public apologies on its website, in newspapers and on television stations.
In addition, the court directed that the damages would attract a 10 per cent annual interest from May 5, 2026, until full payment is made.
SERAP, however, rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
