A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja is set to deliver judgment in the N5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the State Security Service against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, following the alleged unlawful invasion of the group’s Abuja office.

The case stemmed from SERAP’s allegation on 9 September 2024 that the service invaded its Abuja office after the organisation wrote a letter calling on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations of corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and to reverse the increase in the pump price of petrol.

In a statement on Monday, the group maintained its position and insisted its claims were based on oath filed by its lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.

It stated, “The use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) lawsuits by the Nigerian authorities against our organisation and other Nigerians peacefully exercising their human rights is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

SERAP further noted that such authoritarian practices would ultimately fail and that those perpetrating them would be held to account.

The group, in its defence, denied the claims by the SSS and urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety for being frivolous and vexatious, with substantial costs awarded in favour of SERAP.

Narrating the incident, SERAP stated that SSS operatives entered its premises under questionable circumstances, including claims that one of the officials used a false identity.

“One of the two DSS officials who entered SERAP’s office signed the visitor’s book as ‘Sarah David’ and not ‘Sarah John’ as constituted in this suit. A photocopy of the extract from the visitor’s book showing that the official hid her true identity when she entered SERAP’s premises is hereby pleaded and shall be relied upon during trial.

“The DSS stormed SERAP’s office demanding to see its management staff, demanding official documents in addition to interrogating and questioning its front desk officer,” it explained.

The group also questioned the legality and intent of the visit, accusing the SSS of lacking commitment to human rights and accountability in Nigeria.

“The SSS is not known to make social friends of NGOs dedicated to the promotion of human rights and accountability in Nigeria,” it stated.