By Palang Paul
Amnesty International has expressed grave concern over a recent judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), warning that the ruling poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and civic space in Nigeria.
The case originates from an incident on September 9, 2024, when officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly visited SERAP’s Abuja office without prior written notice, questioned staff, and stationed operatives outside the premises. SERAP subsequently raised concerns publicly, describing the encounter as intimidation and harassment.
Following those claims, two DSS officials filed a defamation suit against SERAP—an action widely viewed as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), often used to discourage criticism and silence civil society actors.
In its judgment delivered Tuesday, the court imposed significant financial penalties on SERAP and ordered the organisation to issue public apologies. The ruling has since drawn criticism from rights advocates who argue it contradicts both constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
“This 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,” said Isa Sanusi.
Amnesty International noted that Sections 39 and 40 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended guarantee freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, describing them as essential pillars of democratic governance. It further stressed that Nigeria is bound by international human rights obligations requiring the protection of these rights.
The organisation warned that the judgment could embolden further use of defamation lawsuits to stifle dissent, weaken public oversight, and discourage whistleblowing, particularly on matters of public interest such as corruption and governance.
Calling for urgent action, Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to quash the judgment and end what it described as judicial harassment of civil society organisations, insisting that efforts to promote transparency and accountability must not be criminalised.
Observers say the development raises fresh concerns about the shrinking civic space in Nigeria and the growing use of legal mechanisms to curb critical voices.
Palang Paul is a Human Rights Defender and Journalist who reports on Human Rights violations,Conflict and Security for The Nigeria Times.
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