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Court Ruling Sparks Concern Over Civic Freedoms in Nigeria

A Federal high court has ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay U.S.$72,000 in damages to two officials of the Department of State Services. The court also directed the organization to publish public apologies and pay litigation costs.

The case stems from allegations made by SERAP in 2024 that DSS officials unlawfully raided its Abuja office. This comes after the group criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company over fuel price increases. SERAP has appealed the ruling and filed for a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal.

The organization described the judgment as a "travesty" and argued that the court relied on defective evidence and committed significant legal and procedural errors. More than 50 civil society groups have warned that the judgment could undermine freedom of expression and discourage public-interest advocacy.

GeorgeOgala/PremiumTimes

Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja

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