SERAP accuses Tinubu of arming DSS and wants the lawsuit dropped

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of using security agencies in the country to harass Nigerians and human rights groups simply for the peaceful exercise of their basic human rights.

SERAP also maintained that the federal government must confront the challenges posed by widespread corruption in the oil sector, the deteriorating economic situation in the country, reduce the cost of governance, and stop targeting individuals and organizations that advocate for reforms in these areas.

The organization, which stated this in an open letter dated October 19, 2024, and signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, further asked President Tinubu to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to dismiss the defamation suit filed by two officers of the organization, to be withdrawn immediately. the DSS against her and her management staff.

SERAP stressed that if the lawsuit is not immediately withdrawn, it will be prepared to defend itself in court by joining the government and DSS and calling witnesses to ensure justice, end impunity for violations rights and legitimate public interests.

The civil society organization claimed that the two DSS officials who filed the lawsuit were unknown to it and that they had been induced and sponsored by the DSS to take the action.
It pointed out that human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other citizens should be able to organize and freely exercise their human rights without the threat of unfounded lawsuits by the government or its security agencies and their proxies.

SERAP also stressed that arming security forces to intimidate, harass and silence human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors will weaken representative democracy, deepen impunity and undermine the rule of law.

The organization recommended that, rather than misusing security forces to crack down on human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors, the government should thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigate the allegations it makes .

SERAP expresses disappointment over the government’s failure to act on its recommendations so far and calls on it to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop the illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of petrol at its outlets can be undone immediately.

It also accused the government of failing to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million “bailout funds” raised from the federal government in August 2024 and the debt of 6 billion dollars it owes to suppliers, despite its reported failure to remit oil revenues to the treasury and prosecute suspected perpetrators.

SERAP states: “Your government also continues to refuse to comply with several court rulings obtained by SERAP, including those ordering the federal government to disclose the details of the agreement with is consistent with the exercise of Nigerians. ‘ human rights online and to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months.

“SERAP had also appealed to you and your government on September 9, 2024, to direct the DSS to put an end to the harassment and intimidation of our organization and our employees.

“Our call followed the invasion of our office in Abuja by some officials of the DSS. SERAP was subsequently served with a defamation lawsuit number CV/4547/24.

“The country under your government has witnessed an escalating crackdown on human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association and media, and socio-economic rights.

“The judicial harassment of those who peacefully defend human rights is completely inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.

“Under your government, human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors, such as the leadership of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), continue to face harassment, intimidation and arbitrary detention simply for carrying out their legitimate work.

“The judicial harassment of SERAP by your government and its agencies shows hostility towards civil society actors who defend the rights of other citizens, criticize human rights violations and challenge a culture of impunity for perpetrators.

“SERAP therefore urges your government to put an end to the harassment, intimidation and threats against our organization and management personnel and other human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors, including intimidation, through unfounded legal processes.

“SERAP is committed to ensuring that our human rights and anti-corruption work meets the highest standards of analytical rigor, without politics. Our work is driven solely by the fundamental principles of justice, impartiality, solidarity and universality of human rights. SERAP believes that no government is beyond control and accountability.

“SERAP’s impartial work on human rights and anti-corruption is widely recognized nationally and internationally. Our organization received the Wole Soyinka Anti-Corruption Defender Award in 2014 and was nominated for the UN Civil Society Award and the Ford Foundation’s Jubilee Transparency Award. SERAP was also nominated for the 2024 Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Prize.

“Our organization’s calls on your government regarding the continued fuel price hikes and allegations of corruption in the NNPC are based on your government’s constitutional and international responsibilities to Nigerians victims of corruption and on your constitutional oath of office.

“SERAP believes that it is through actions like this that any government in a society governed by the rule of law can be motivated to fulfill its obligations and meet the expectations of its citizens in the areas of good governance, human rights and the rule of law. .

“SERAP urges your government to embrace the rule of law and this will entail respect for the human rights of Nigerians. Where there is a rule of law culture, there is likely to be less corruption.

“Without embracing the rule of law, your government is unlikely to achieve your oft-repeated economic and development programs, as the rule of law is the foundation of any civilized society,” SERAP said.