General News
THE Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has expressed concern over what it described as continued intimidation and judicial harassment of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) following the organisation’s anti-corruption advocacy activities in Nigeria.
The Observatory, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), made its position known in an urgent appeal issued on Tuesday.
According to the rights groups, the concerns stem from legal proceedings instituted against SERAP following allegations it made regarding the activities of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Observatory recalled that on May 5, 2026, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, ruled against SERAP in a defamation suit filed by two DSS officials, Ms Sarah John and Mr Gabriel Ogundele.
It said Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered the organisation to pay N100 million in damages and publish a public apology over alleged defamatory statements.
The rights groups noted that SERAP had since filed a notice of appeal and an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment.
According to the Observatory, the case arose from a post published by SERAP on Sept. 9, 2024, alleging that DSS officials had visited its Abuja office without prior notice and sought access to staff and documents.
It said the organisation claimed the visit generated fears among its employees that arrests or a raid on its office could occur.
The Observatory further stated that the visit occurred shortly after SERAP publicly raised concerns about alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and criticised increases in petrol pump prices.
The rights groups also referenced a lawsuit filed by SERAP on June 11, 2026, against NNPCL over what it alleged was the company’s failure to account for approximately N5.9 billion in expenditure.
According to the Observatory, SERAP has continued to face threats and intimidation, including what it described as smear campaigns through protests and media reports, as well as threatening messages allegedly sent to members of the organisation.
The Observatory said such developments could discourage civil society organisations, journalists, whistleblowers and human rights defenders from engaging in legitimate public-interest advocacy.
It described the legal proceedings against SERAP as potentially constituting a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), which it said could be used to silence criticism and restrict civic engagement.
“The judgment risks undermining the ability of human rights defenders, journalists, whistleblowers and civil society actors in Nigeria to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation, financial penalties or other adverse consequences,” the Observatory stated.
The organisation also expressed concern that some SERAP staff members had reportedly become reluctant to return to work due to fears of possible harassment, intimidation or detention.
The Observatory urged Nigerian authorities to ensure SERAP receives a fair, independent and impartial hearing during the appeal process and to guarantee the safety and well-being of its staff.
It also called on authorities to ensure that human rights defenders in Nigeria are able to carry out their lawful activities without fear of reprisals or undue restrictions.
In addition, the rights groups urged relevant authorities to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement raised by SERAP concerning NNPCL.
The Observatory maintained that freedoms of association and expression are protected under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a party.
The Nigerian government and the DSS had not responded publicly to the latest allegations contained in the appeal as of the time of filing this report.
F.O
Tags: harassment Rights Groups SERAP