The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordering it to pay ₦100 million in damages to two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), declaring its intention to challenge the ruling on appeal.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court had earlier ruled in favour of the DSS officials in a ₦5.5 billion defamation suit, directing SERAP to also issue public apologies, pay ₦1 million as litigation costs, and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until the amount is fully settled.
Reacting to the decision in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the organisation said it had instructed its legal team to immediately initiate an appeal.
“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,” the organisation said.
SERAP added, “We have instructed our lawyers Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN to immediately appeal this judgment.”
The group characterised the lawsuit as an attempt to silence civil society voices, warning that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for freedom of expression and public accountability.
“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,” it said.
“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.”
SERAP further argued that the judgment did not align with the evidence presented in court and undermines constitutional and international protections for free speech.
“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,” it stated.
“This judgment sends a dangerous message and creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression, civic participation, and anti-corruption work.”
The organisation also warned against the misuse of defamation laws to suppress dissent, noting broader implications for democratic governance.
“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.”
Linking the dispute to its anti-corruption advocacy, SERAP criticised the government for failing to investigate allegations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“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,” it said.
“The Tinubu government has continued to fail to investigate the allegations of corruption our organization raised against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).”
The case stems from an incident on September 9, 2024, when SERAP alleged that DSS officials unlawfully entered its Abuja office following its call on President Tinubu to probe corruption allegations in the oil sector and reverse fuel price increases.
In its defence, SERAP maintained that its publication was directed at the DSS as an institution and not at individual officers, describing the lawsuit as “frivolous and vexatious.” It also alleged that the visit involved demands for documents and questioning of staff, which it interpreted as intimidation, while pointing to what it described as inconsistencies in the DSS account.
Despite the court’s ruling, the organisation reiterated its commitment to pursuing all legal remedies.
“We are committed to pursuing all available legal avenues, including appeal, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that fundamental rights are protected. We stand resolute. We will continue to defend civic space, promote transparency, and advance accountability in Nigeria.”
