- Safiu Kehinde
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) group has debunked reports claiming its retraction of its office invasion allegation against the Department of State Service (DSS).
SERAP held that the reports, which alleged that its Deputy Director, Kolawole Dare had “admits to no invasion” during the court hearing of the N5 billion defamation suit filed against the group by the DSS on Monday, is false.
This was contained in a statement issued on the organisation’s X handle on Tuesday.
SERAP in the statement reiterated that it remains resolute on its statement of defence that the DSS unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office on 9 September 2024.
It however declared the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) lawsuits filed against it by the DSS over the allegation as antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.
Meanwhile, the Abuja Federal High Court had on Monday adjourned the case to February 19 for final written address.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, on Monday adjourned for the adoption of the final written address in a N5 billion defamation suit filed by the Department of State Services against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.
According to reports, Oluwadare had opened his defence against the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, and filed by Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, officials of the DSS.
The SERAP’s Deputy Director of SERAP opened its defence after the court granted a housekeeping application for amendment of process filed.
Oluwadare, in his argument, reaffirmed that “SERAP is a registered non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria.”
He dismissed “suggestions that SERAP exists to criticise the government,” stressing that its “mandate is to promote and protect human rights, including socio-economic rights, in the public interest.”
He also told the court that harassment and intimidation of civic actors pose grave threats to SERAP’s work, particularly its efforts to hold public institutions accountable.