The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has insisted that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) unlawfully invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, SERAP dismissed reports that its deputy director “admitted” otherwise as false and misleading.
SERAP noted that its sworn statements and court filings remain consistent and unchanged.
The group said: “We stand by our statements on oath, statements of defence and the correct proceedings in court on Monday, 24 November 2025, to the effect that the DSS unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office on 9 September 2024.”
Reports had circulated suggesting SERAP’s deputy director contradicted the organisation’s initial claim.
SERAP, however, described the publications as inaccurate and not reflective of the actual court proceedings.
DSS officials had visited SERAP’s office in Abuja last year, reportedly asking to see the group’s directors. SERAP described the action as an invasion, while the DSS claimed its operatives were on routine investigation.
The secret police later filed a ₦5 billion defamation suit against SERAP, accusing the organisation of damaging the reputation of the Service and its officers – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – who are listed as plaintiffs.
“SERAP was fully represented in court by five senior lawyers from the chambers of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN),” the organisation said.
The group described the DSS suit as a classic Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at gagging civic voices.
“The use of SLAPPs by the Nigerian authorities against our organisation and Nigerians peacefully expressing their rights is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution and to international human rights obligations.
“These authoritarian practices will surely fail,” SERAP noted.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]