The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, operated by the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation Against Torture, has expressed significant worry regarding the ongoing judicial pressure against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Nigeria. In an urgent June 2026 appeal, the group stated that SERAP faces mounting scrutiny for its investigation into alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The situation escalated following a May 2026 High Court ruling that ordered SERAP to pay N100 million in damages to two Department of State Services officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, over claims of defamation. SERAP has since appealed the decision. This conflict originated from a 2024 dispute where the organization reported that DSS officials entered their offices without warning shortly after the group criticized NNPCL operations.
Beyond the legal battle, the Observatory reports that SERAP staff members are enduring a campaign of intimidation, including threatening messages and public protests. International monitors suggest this pattern resembles a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, which threatens the rights of whistleblowers and civil society. They have urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect the safety of the staff and ensure a transparent judicial review, noting that these actions undermine fundamental protections for free speech and association in Nigeria.