Some Civil Society Organisations have demanded that the defamation lawsuit brought against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the Federal Government should be dropped.
The CSOs, which described the lawsuit as “bogus”, made the demand in a statement they made available to media houses on Tuesday.
Among the groups that signed the statement were Amnesty International, Accountability Lab, BudgIT, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, and CISLAC.
Others were Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, and YIAGA.
The statement reads in full: “We, the undersigned civil society organizations and individuals urge the government of President Bola Tinubu to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) – an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and end escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors simply for carrying out their legitimate work.
“Nigerian authorities must immediately withdraw their bogus defamation lawsuit against SERAP and end the growing attempts to stifle dissenting voices in the country.
“Following SERAP’s letter calling on President Tinubu and his government to probe allegations of corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and to reverse the increase in the pump price of petrol, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) suddenly visited SERAP’s Abuja office unannounced.
“According to SERAP, “Some officers from DSS invaded our Abuja office. A tall, large, dark-skinned woman entered our office, accompanied by a slim, dark-skinned man. Other officers were sighted in two unmarked vehicles stationed outside our office. The officers who interrogated our staff requested to see our directors.” Two DSS officers have now filed a ‘defamation lawsuit’ against the organization, claiming N5 billion.
“We are seriously concerned that this intimidatory tactic by the Tinubu government against SERAP solely for peacefully carrying out its mandates illustrates the growing repression of civil society and crackdown on human rights, media freedom, violent repression of peaceful protests, and restrictions on civic space in Nigeria.
“We express our unwavering support for and solidarity with SERAP. The organization is a watchdog committed to advocating for human rights and rule of law and exposing corruption in Nigeria.
The intimidation and harassment of SERAP followed the invasion of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights’ (CDHR) office in Ikeja, Lagos in August by armed security personnel and the invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress and the arbitrary arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero by the DSS in September at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom to attend the World Trade Union Congress. His passport was seized.
“We note that law enforcement agencies violated the rights of protesters and non-protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protests. The police and DSS reportedly shot live ammunition at peaceful protesters and journalists while they harassed, arbitrarily arrested and detained protesters and non-protesters – including minors during the protests in August.
“According to reports, in February, Dele Fasan, the bureau chief of Galaxy Television, was arrested and placed in handcuffs by soldiers for recording a video of the labour’s protest in Uvwie, Warri, over economic hardship in the country. Madu Onuorah, publisher of Global Upfront; Daniel Ojukwu of Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Dayo Aiyetan, executive director, International Centre for Investigative Journalism; Fisayo Soyombo founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Nurudeen Akwasika and Adejuwon Soyinka have all faced repression simply for doing this legitimate job under Tinubu’s watch.
“These cases appear designed to send a broader message of intimidation to Nigerian citizens, civil society organisations, journalists, and other civil society actors striving for the promotion and protection of human rights and a rule of law-based society.
“Nigeria is now rated as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for human rights defenders, activists, labour leaders, journalists and other civil society actors.
“The increasing attacks and intimidation against civil society organizations, human rights, journalists and other civil society actors under Tinubu’s watch is antithetical to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights both of which the country has ratified.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party clearly guarantee the rights of everyone to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
We are concerned that the increasing repression under the Tinubu government is clearly aimed at creating a climate of intimidation against civil society organizations, human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society actors in the country. The targeting of civil society actors and protesters will have a chilling effect on the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country.
“We therefore call on President Tinubu and his government to urgently reverse these dangerous trends and end the impunity of perpetrators for grave human rights violations and abuses in the country.
“Nigerian authorities must immediately end the growing threats, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP and other groups, human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society actors in the country. Authorities must ensure a conducive environment for civil society actors to carry out their work and operate freely without any fear of reprisals.
“Nigerian authorities must uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations and end the brutal assault on the human rights community in the country.”
