The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has rejected a Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment ordering it to pay N100 million in damages to officials of the Department of State Services over alleged defamation, describing the ruling as flawed and a threat to civic space.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment, also directing SERAP to issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully settled.

In a statement, SERAP said it had instructed its lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, to immediately file an appeal against the ruling.

The organisation described the decision as “a travesty” and alleged it reflects a broader pattern of using defamation laws to suppress criticism and accountability under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

SERAP further characterised the lawsuit as a strategic attempt to intimidate civil society, warning that such legal actions could discourage human rights advocacy and restrict freedom of expression.

The case stems from a September 2024 incident in which SERAP accused DSS operatives of unlawfully entering its Abuja office following its call for an investigation into alleged corruption involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

However, the DSS officials identified in court documents as Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele filed a defamation suit, arguing that SERAP’s publication was damaging to their reputation.

SERAP, in its defence, maintained that its statements were directed at the DSS as an institution and not at the individual officers, insisting that its claims were made in the public interest.

The organisation said it would pursue all legal avenues to overturn the judgment, stressing its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.