Secret DSS Judgment Against SERAP: CSOs Demand Transparency and Release of Court Ruling
A coalition of 52 Nigerian civil society organizations has raised significant concerns regarding a controversial N100 million defamation judgment against SERAP, highlighting threats to judicial transparency and civic freedoms. The groups are particularly alarmed by delays in accessing the judgment's certified true copy and the increasing use of defamation suits against public accountability efforts. This development sparks debate over due process, freedom of expression, and the bedrock of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
A coalition of 52 civil society organizations has called for the immediate release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment delivered by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in a defamation case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The groups said delays in accessing the judgment threaten judicial transparency and could undermine SERAP’s ability to effectively pursue its appeal.
The controversy follows a May 5 ruling that awarded N100 million in damages to two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims of defamation. The court also ordered SERAP to publish public apologies, pay N1 million in legal costs and comply with a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest rate.
SERAP rejected the judgment, describing it as a “dangerous precedent” and filed a notice of appeal three days later. The organization has argued that the ruling raises broader concerns about freedom of expression and public-interest advocacy in Nigeria.
Among the signatories to the statement are Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation and Yiaga Africa. The coalition said timely access to court records is essential for fair hearing, accountability and effective appellate review.
According to the groups, withholding or delaying the release of a Certified True Copy of a judgment may hinder litigants from fully assessing their legal position or preparing their appeals. They warned that such delays could weaken public confidence in the justice system and erode trust in judicial processes.
The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of defamation suits and legal actions targeting anti-corruption advocates and civic organizations. It argued that democratic societies depend on the ability of citizens and advocacy groups to scrutinize public institutions without fear of disproportionate retaliation.
SERAP has maintained that the publication at the center of the dispute related to alleged conduct by DSS officials following an incident at its Abuja office in 2024. The organization argued that its statements were made in the public interest and protected under constitutional guarantees of free expression.
The coalition cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including Sections 36 and 39, as well as international human rights instruments protecting access to information and freedom of expression.
The groups urged relevant authorities to release the judgment without delay and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, civic freedom and the rule of law. They stressed that transparency, procedural fairness and an independent judiciary remain essential pillars of the country’s democratic system.