CSOs asks FG to drop defamation suit against SERAP

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has asked the federal government to withdraw a defamation suit filed against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). 

On September 9, SERAP said agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) were “unlawfully occupying” its office in Abuja, the nation’s capital, adding that the operatives had demanded to see its directors.

But the secret police described SERAP’s allegations as “malicious” and restated its commitment to professionalism in discharging its duties.

In a suit filed on October 17, the DSS said the claims made by SERAP negatively impacted its reputation and that of Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, the two police officials involved.

In a statement on Tuesday, the CSOs, including Amnesty International, BudgIT, and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), demanded an end to what they described as escalating intimidation tactics against human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors in Nigeria.

“We are seriously concerned that this intimidatory tactic by the Tinubu government against SERAP solely for peacefully carrying out its mandates illustrates the growing repression of civil society and crackdown on human rights, media freedom, violent repression of peaceful protests, and restrictions on civic space in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“We express our unwavering support for and solidarity with SERAP. The organisation is a watchdog committed to advocating for human rights and the rule of law and exposing corruption in Nigeria.”

The statement also recounted instances of intimidation against other civil society actors, including the invasion of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) office in Lagos by security personnel and the September arrest of Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, at Abuja’s airport.

The CSOs also criticised the crackdown on protesters and journalists during recent #EndBadGovernance protests.

The CSOs said the actions reflected an emerging pattern of silencing voices that challenge government policies.

“Nigeria is now rated as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for human rights defenders, activists, labour leaders, journalists, and other civil society actors,” the coalition said.

“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party clearly guarantee the rights of everyone to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.

“We, therefore, call on President Tinubu and his government to urgently reverse these dangerous trends and end the impunity of perpetrators for grave human rights violations and abuses in the country.

“Nigerian authorities must immediately end the growing threats, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP and other groups, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors in the country.

“Authorities must ensure a conducive environment for civil society actors to carry out their work and operate freely without any fear of reprisals.

“Nigerian authorities must uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations and end the brutal assault on the human rights community in the country.”

The statement was also signed by other CSOs, including Accountability Lab, CISLAC, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), and YIAGA Africa.