The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation Against Torture, has raised concerns over what it described as continued intimidation and judicial harassment of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Nigeria.
In an urgent appeal issued on June 23, 2026, the Observatory alleged that SERAP has come under increasing pressure following its calls for investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
According to the statement, the concern stems from a judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on May 5, 2026, in a defamation suit instituted by two officials of the Department of State Services, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele.
The court reportedly found SERAP liable for defamation and ordered the organisation to pay N100 million in damages to the DSS officials, as well as publish a public apology. SERAP subsequently filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution on May 8.
The case arose from a post published by SERAP on X in September 2024, alleging that DSS officials had entered its Abuja office without prior notice. The organisation claimed the officials sought access to management personnel, requested official documents and questioned a front desk officer, prompting fears among staff that a raid or arrests could follow.
