The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu and his government “to stop the ‘weaponization’ of the country’s security agencies to target Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.
In the open letter dated 19 October 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group asked Tinubu to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw the baseless defamation lawsuit by their proxies against the organisation.
Recall that two DSS officials last week filed a defamation lawsuit against SERAP, following allegations by the organization regarding the recent invasion of its Abuja office by some officials of the security agency.
Reacting, SERAP expressed concern that Tinubu’s government seems to be weaponizing the DSS and misusing defamation laws as a tool of repression and to target those who defend human rights.
The group called on the Tinubu administration to instead address the allegations of widespread corruption in the oil sector and the worsening economic situation in the country, and reducing the cost of governance.
The letter read in part: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If the lawsuit is not immediately withdrawn, we will be prepared to defend our organization and management staff in court, and to join your government and DSS in the lawsuit. This may include calling witnesses to ensure justice, end impunity for rights abuses, and achieve legitimate public interests in this matter.
“We have since 2004 pursued several public interest cases against the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. This is the first time any government will weaponize the country’s security agencies to intimidate and target our organization.
“The defamation lawsuit is brought by two named DSS officials but their names are unknown to our organization. The lawsuit by these officials is apparently instigated and sponsored by the DSS under your watch.
“It is critical for human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other citizens to be able to organize and freely exercise their human rights without the threat of baseless lawsuits by your government or its security agencies and/or their proxies.”
