Court Ruling Raises Concerns About Civic Freedoms in Nigeria
A Federal High Court has mandated the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to compensate two officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) with $72,000 in damages. Additionally, the court has instructed SERAP to publish public apologies...
A Federal High Court has mandated the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to compensate two officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) with $72,000 in damages. Additionally, the court has instructed SERAP to publish public apologies and cover the associated litigation costs.
This decision arises from SERAP’s accusations in 2024 that DSS personnel conducted an unlawful raid on its office in Abuja. These allegations followed SERAP’s critique of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s fuel price hikes. In response to the ruling, SERAP has lodged an appeal and requested a stay of execution pending the appellate process.
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The organization condemned the ruling as a “travesty,” asserting that the court relied on flawed evidence and made serious legal and procedural missteps. Over 50 civil society organizations have expressed concern that this verdict could pose a threat to freedom of expression and deter advocacy efforts in the public interest.
