Human rights organisation Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned a recent judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), describing it as a dangerous setback for freedom of expression and civic space in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on May 5, Amnesty International said the judgment stemmed from a defamation suit filed by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) following events that occurred at SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024.
According to Amnesty International, DSS officials had visited SERAP’s office without prior written notice, questioned members of staff, and stationed operatives outside the premises, prompting the organisation to publicly raise concerns about intimidation and harassment.
The rights group noted that two DSS officials later instituted a defamation action against SERAP, a move it described as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), allegedly aimed at discouraging legitimate human rights advocacy and public accountability efforts.
Amnesty International expressed concern that the court judgment, which reportedly imposed significant financial penalties and ordered public apologies, could undermine constitutional freedoms and weaken democratic accountability.
“The judgment risks undermining the rights to freedom of expression, association, and civic participation, and may have a chilling effect on civil society organisations, journalists, and human rights defenders working to promote transparency and accountability,” the organisation stated.
Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the ruling sends “a deeply troubling signal” about the condition of civic space in the country.
“The judgment appears to depart from these principles and may embolden further use of SLAPPs against civil society actors in Nigeria,” Sanusi said.
“Such developments risk weakening public oversight, discouraging whistleblowing, and undermining efforts to combat corruption and illicit financial flows.”
He called on Nigerian authorities to overturn the judgment and halt what he described as judicial harassment of civil society groups.
“Nigerian authorities must quash the judgment and end judicial harassment against SERAP and other civil society organisations in the country,” he said.
“Authorities must stop using judicial harassment as a tool to silence critics, activists and other Nigerians solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
Amnesty International further argued that civil society organisations play a legitimate role in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly in challenging alleged corruption within public institutions.
“Efforts to promote transparency and accountability, including challenging allegations of corruption in public institutions, are squarely within the legitimate mandate of civil society organisations,” the statement added.
The organisation also cited Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, stressing that such rights are fundamental to democratic governance.
It further referenced Nigeria’s obligations under international and regional human rights treaties, noting that United Nations Special Rapporteurs have repeatedly warned against the misuse of defamation laws to suppress dissent and criticism on issues of public interest.
In a follow-up statement issued on May 12, Amnesty International disclosed that SERAP had filed an appeal against the judgment and was seeking a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal process.
According to the organisation, the appeal was filed on May 8, 2026, by senior lawyer Tayo Oyetibo on behalf of SERAP.
The appeal challenges the High Court judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, which awarded ₦100 million in damages in favour of DSS officials.
SERAP reportedly described the ruling as “a travesty and a miscarriage of justice” and argued that the decision was legally flawed.
The organisation also filed an application requesting that enforcement of the judgment be suspended until the appeal is determined.
The dispute originated after DSS officials visited SERAP’s Abuja office in September 2024 amid controversy surrounding allegations of corruption and accountability issues involving public institutions.
SERAP subsequently raised public concerns over what it perceived as intimidation by security operatives, while DSS officials maintained that the allegations damaged their reputation, leading to the defamation suit.
