The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) has expressed significant apprehension regarding a 5 May 2026 ruling from the Abuja High Court. The court ordered the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a prominent civil society organization, to pay 100 million Naira in damages and one million Naira in legal fees following a defamation lawsuit initiated by two Department of State Service (DSS) agents.
The legal dispute originated in September 2024 after SERAP alleged that DSS officers harassed and intimidated staff at its Abuja headquarters. The DSS denied these claims, labeling them misleading, and subsequently sued for five billion Naira, asserting that their reputations were harmed. SERAP is currently appealing the court’s decision.
IHRDA warns that this ruling could serve to stifle civic engagement and intimidate advocacy groups. They suggest the case resembles a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), which uses litigation to discourage public scrutiny and criticism. The organization emphasized that judicial bodies have a responsibility to recognize such tactics.
This incident fits into a wider trend of restricted civic space across Africa, where activists and journalists often encounter legal barriers while performing their work. IHRDA reminded the court that the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protects freedom of expression and that defamation laws should not be used to impose disproportionate penalties on those criticizing public officials. As the appeal continues, IHRDA advocates for a balance between protecting individual reputations and upholding the essential democratic right to hold public institutions accountable.
