• Charge Tinubu to Withdraw DSS’ Defamation Lawsuit Against SERAP

• Safiu Kehinde

Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have claimed that Nigeria is now rated as one of West Africa’s most dangerous countries for human rights defenders.

The CSOs made the claim while charging President Bola Tinubu to order the withdrawal of the defamation lawsuit filed against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project group (SERAP) by the Department of States Service (DSS).

In a statement issued on Tuesday and co-signed by Amnesty International, YIAGA Africa, BudgIT, and Accountability Lab amongst others, the CSOs condemned the defamation lawsuit which they labelled as baseless and attempt to intimidate SERAP.

As contained in the statement, the coalition urged Tinubu to cease the escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and other civil society actors simply for carrying out their legitimate work.

Expressing their concern over the alleged intimidatory tactic by the Tinubu government against SERAP, the CSOs called for an end to mounting attempts to stifle dissenting voices in the country.

“We, the undersigned civil society organizations and individuals, urge President Bola Tinubu’s government to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and cease the 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 baseless defamation lawsuit against SERAP and end the mounting 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) abruptly visited SERAP’s Abuja office unannounced.

“We are deeply concerned that this intimidatory tactic by the Tinubu government against SERAP, solely for peacefully carrying out its mandate, 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.” The coalition group wrote.

They recalled how the DSS had invaded SERAP’ office in the wake of the human rights group’s call for the probe of alleged corrupt practices in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

“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) abruptly 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.” The CSOs continued.

While expressing their solidarity to SERAP, they further recounted several alleged intimidations and attacks on civil society organizations, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors by the DSS.

According to the group, 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.

They, however called on Tinubu to reverse the dangerous trend and end the violation of human rights abuse.

“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and the harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders who have shown remarkable courage in their work, harm those most in need, undermine Nigerian victims’ access to justice for human rights violations and abuses, and foster a culture of impunity among perpetrators.

“We are concerned that the increasing repression under the Tinubu government is 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 escalating threats, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP and other groups, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors.

“Authorities must ensure a conducive environment for civil society actors to carry out their work and operate freely without 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.” The group wrote further.