The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture, has called on the Federal Government to immediately end what it described as judicial harassment and intimidation targeting the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over its anti-corruption advocacy.

In an urgent appeal addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Observatory urged Nigerian authorities to guarantee the physical and psychological safety of SERAP staff and all human rights defenders across the country.
It also called on the government to ensure SERAP receives a fair, independent and impartial appeal process in line with national, regional and international human rights standards, while immediately and unconditionally ending all acts of judicial harassment against the organisation.

The Observatory further urged the authorities to ensure that SERAP and other human rights defenders are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, arbitrary detention, torture or other sanctions, while respecting the rights to freedom of association and expression guaranteed under international human rights law, particularly Articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The appeal is also addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the European Union, Obinna Chiedu Onowu.

According to the Observatory, it received information from SERAP regarding alleged intimidation and judicial harassment following the organisation’s call for investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
On May 5, 2026, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja found SERAP liable for defamation in a suit instituted by two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ms. Sarah John and Mr. Gabriel Ogundele.

Justice Yusuf Halilu reportedly ordered SERAP to pay N100 million in damages to the two DSS officials over alleged defamation and directed the organisation to publish a public apology. SERAP subsequently filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution on May 8.

The defamation suit stemmed from a post published by SERAP on X on September 9, 2024, alleging that DSS officials had unlawfully entered its Abuja office. According to SERAP, the officials arrived in unmarked vehicles, sought access to management staff, requested official documents and questioned a front desk officer, prompting fears among employees that the office could be raided and staff arrested.
The Observatory said the officials left only after journalists, alerted by SERAP’s social media post, arrived at the premises.

It noted that the visit occurred shortly after SERAP had issued statements calling for investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement involving Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and criticised increases in petrol pump prices.
The Observatory also referenced a subsequent lawsuit filed by SERAP against NNPCL over its alleged failure to account for about N5.9 billion in expenditure.

It expressed concern that SERAP continues to face threats, intimidation and what it described as state-sponsored smear campaigns over its decision to appeal the court judgment. It further alleged that individuals believed to be linked to security agencies had sent threatening messages to members of the organisation.

The Observatory said it was particularly worried that the proceedings against SERAP amounted to a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), warning that the case could create a chilling effect on freedom of expression, civic participation and anti-corruption advocacy in Nigeria.

According to the organisation, some SERAP staff members have expressed fears of returning to work because of concerns about possible arrest, detention or harassment.

It also warned that the judgment could encourage the use of defamation proceedings to retaliate against civil society organisations, journalists and whistleblowers engaged in public interest work.

The Observatory argued that both the DSS office visit and the subsequent legal proceedings arose from SERAP’s online publications, stressing that restrictions on digital expression pose significant risks to civil society organisations that rely on online platforms for public engagement.

It maintained that the judicial proceedings undermine the rights to freedom of association and expression protected under Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ICCPR.

Beyond calling for an impartial appeal process, the Observatory urged the Nigerian authorities to conduct an effective investigation into the allegations of corruption and mismanagement raised by SERAP concerning NNPCL.