SERAP accuses Tinubu of using SSS to silence him, other critics and activists

THE Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu and his government “to stop the ‘militarization’ of the country’s security agencies to target Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights, and to direct the Department of Services of State (DSS) to withdraw immediately. the baseless defamation lawsuit filed by their agents against our organization and our management staff.

Two officials of the DSS (also known as SSS) last week filed a defamation suit against SERAP, following the organization’s allegations regarding the recent invasion of its Abuja office by some officials of the security agency.

In the open letter dated October 19, 2024 and signed by the Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “We are seriously concerned that your government appears to be weaponizing DSS and misusing defamation laws as a tool of repression and to target those who defend the system. human rights. »

SERAP said: “Rather than addressing allegations of widespread corruption in the oil sector and the country’s deteriorating economic situation, and reducing the cost of governance, your government is targeting those campaigning for action in these domains. »

The letter read in part: “We would appreciate the recommended actions being taken immediately upon receipt and/or publication of this letter. »

“If the lawsuit is not immediately withdrawn, we will be prepared to defend our organization and our leadership staff in court, and join your government and the DSS in the lawsuit. This may include calling witnesses to ensure justice, end impunity for rights violations, and defend legitimate public interests in the matter.

“Since 2004, we have initiated several public interest litigations against the governments of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. This is the first time that a government has used the country’s security agencies as a weapon to intimidate and target our organization.”

“The defamation suit is filed by two DSS officials, but their names are unknown to our organization. The lawsuit filed by these officials is apparently initiated and sponsored by the DSS under your leadership.

“It is essential that human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other citizens are able to organize and freely exercise their human rights without risking baseless legal action by your government or its security agencies and /or their agents.

“Using security agencies as weapons to intimidate, harass and silence human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors will weaken representative democracy, reinforce impunity and undermine the state of law.

“Instead of misusing security agencies to repress human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors, your government should take steps to thoroughly, independently investigate, impartial, transparent and effective on the allegations raised by SERAP. »

“We are disappointed that your government has so far failed to respond to our recommendations calling on you to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the apparently illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of gasoline at its points of sale. »

“Your government has also failed to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the $300 million “bailout funds” collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and on the $6 billion debt it owes to its suppliers, despite allegations of failing to remit oil revenues to the Treasury and failing to pursue alleged perpetrators.

“Your government also continues to refuse to obey several court rulings obtained by SERAP, including those that ordered the federal government to disclose details of the agreement with X, formerly Twitter, to assess whether the agreement is compliant to the exercise of the human rights of Nigerians. online and to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians over six months.

“On September 9, 2024, SERAP also called on you and your government to order the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of our organization and staff members.

“Our call follows the invasion of our Abuja office by some DSS officials. SERAP was subsequently the subject of a defamation suit bearing number CV/4547/24.

“The country under your government has witnessed increasing repression of human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and the media, as well as socio-economic rights. »

“Judicial harassment against those who peacefully defend human rights is completely inconsistent and inconsistent 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 leaders of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), continue to face harassment, intimidation and arbitrary detention simply for carrying out their legitimate work.

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

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

“SERAP strives to ensure that our human rights and anti-corruption work meets the highest standards of analytical rigor, free from politics. Our work is motivated solely by the fundamental principles of justice, impartiality, solidarity and universality of human rights. SERAP believes that no government escapes control and accountability.

“SERAP’s non-partisan work in the area of ​​human rights and anti-corruption has been widely recognized nationally and internationally. Our organization received the Wole Soyinka Anti-Corruption Advocate Award in 2014 and was nominated for the United Nations Civil Society Award and the Ford Foundation Jubilee Transparency Award. SERAP was also nominated for the 2024 Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Awards.”

“Our organization’s appeals to your government regarding persistent fuel price increases and allegations of corruption in the NNPC are based on your government’s constitutional and international responsibilities to corrupt Nigerians, as well as your oath constitutional.

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“SERAP believes that it is through action like this that any government in a society governed by the rule of law can be motivated to respect its commitments and meet the expectations of its citizens in terms of good governance, human rights and the rule of law. .”

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

“Without adopting the rule of law, your government is unlikely to achieve its oft-repeated economic and development programs, since the rule of law is the foundation of any civilized society. »