By Perpetua Onuegbu

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have demanded the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the defamation judgement secured by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against SERAP.

They stressed that delays in releasing the judgment againts the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) could undermine judicial transparency and civic freedoms.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the group said public reactions to the case emerged before the CTC and full judgment were made publicly available, raising concerns over due process, fair hearing and access to justice.

The organisations argued that timely access to court judgments was essential for litigants to assess their legal position and exercise their constitutional right of appeal.

They cited Sections 36 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as international human rights instruments.

Other instruments they cited included the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in defence of freedom of expression and judicial transparency.

The groups also cautioned against what they described as the growing use of defamation suits and coercive legal measures against anti-corruption advocates and civic actors.

According to them, democratic governance depends on the ability of civil society organisations to scrutinise public institutions and engage in public-interest advocacy without fear of intimidation.

They stressed that seeking appellate review of a judgment should not be interpreted as disrespect for the judiciary or the rule of law.

The coalition called for the immediate release of the CTC of the judgment, respect for constitutional rights, greater restraint in public commentary on judicial matters, and stronger protection of civic space.

The statement was signed by no fewer than 50 organisations, including Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT, Yiaga Africa, Media Rights Agenda, CISLAC, SERAP, ActionAid Nigeria and the Transition Monitoring Group among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that two officials of DSS, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, secured a N100 million defamation judgment against SERAP at the FCT High Court in Abuja over allegations that DSS operatives invaded the organisation’s office in 2024.

Justice Yusuf Halilu also ordered SERAP to publish public apologies, pay N1 million litigation costs and 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until full payment.

The DSS said the suit was filed by the officials in their personal capacity, while SERAP has appealed the judgment and sought a stay of execution.(NAN)