A coalition of civil society groups has called for restraint following the recent judgment by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The coalition, consisting of The Green Assembly Initiative and the Nigeria Youth Organisation, made the call in a joint statement issued on Saturday in Abuja. The statement was signed by Duke Alamboye, the Convener of the Green Assembly Initiative.
The group was reacting to the May 5 judgment delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu in a defamation case brought against SERAP by DSS officials. The court found that SERAP defamed two DSS officials through false publications made on September 10, 2024.
In the ruling, the FCT High Court, sitting in Maitama, concluded that the DSS officials—Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele—had been defamed by false claims made by SERAP on its website and social media platforms. The allegations included claims that the DSS officials had unlawfully invaded their Abuja office on September 9, 2024, and subjected them to harassment.
Justice Halilu deemed the publications defamatory and awarded damages of N100 million against the defendants, along with N1 million to cover the cost of prosecuting the case.
In their statement, the coalition acknowledged the court’s authority but expressed concern over SERAP’s reaction to the judgment. They specifically criticized the organization for issuing public statements rejecting the ruling instead of seeking an appellate review.
“We acknowledge the judiciary as the final arbiter in disputes of this nature. However, we are concerned about SERAP’s continued public statements rejecting the judgment rather than pursuing an appeal,” the coalition said. “While we recognize the right of any party to express disagreement, we strongly believe that issuing public statements at this stage could escalate tensions and undermine public confidence in the judicial process.”
The coalition further cautioned against media narratives surrounding ongoing litigation, warning that such narratives could erode trust in institutions, including the judiciary and security agencies.
They urged all involved parties to pursue the appellate process rather than prolong public commentary that could exacerbate divisions within the country.
“The appropriate and lawful path forward remains the appellate process, not prolonged public commentary that could deepen divisions or inflame national sensitivities,” the statement read.
The coalition emphasized that democracy thrives through respect for the courts, due process, and responsible civic engagement. They called on Nigerians to uphold the integrity of national institutions and safeguard the rule of law.
Additionally, the coalition urged civil society to continue holding institutions accountable without weakening democratic structures. They called on all parties to reduce public rhetoric and allow appellate courts to resolve any further legal issues arising from the matter.
