Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has restated its accusation that officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) unlawfully entered its Abuja office using a false identity and unmarked vehicles, dismissing claims that its deputy director denied any invasion during court proceedings held on Monday in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and issued on Tuesday in Lagos.
The statement reads partly: “Our attention has been drawn to certain inaccuracies in the recent reports by some media organisations about the court proceedings on Monday, 24 November 2025, in the SLAPP lawsuit filed against SERAP by the DSS at the High Court of the FCT Abuja.”
“The reports conveyed impressions that do not reflect what transpired in open court and may inadvertently misinform the public.”
“For clarity, the reports that SERAP deputy director ‘admits no invasion’ of our Abuja office are entirely incorrect.”
“We stand by our statements of defence and statements on oath filed in court by our lawyers Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, and the correct reporting of what actually happened in court on Monday 24 November 2025 that the DSS unlawfully invaded our Abuja office.”
SERAP insisted that its filed court documents clearly show that one of the DSS officials signed the organisation’s visitors’ register under a different name, and that the operatives arrived in a private car accompanied by two unmarked vehicles. The organisation alleged that the officials demanded to see its management, queried its internal operations, and asked for incorporation documents.
The group maintained that the operatives’ conduct created an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity among staff, adding that some became fearful of returning to work in the days following the visit.
According to SERAP, the DSS has issued conflicting explanations—publicly describing the incident as a “routine investigation” while stating in court that it was a familiarisation visit to “new leadership”.
The organisation emphasised that there was no new leadership in SERAP at the time and argued that public bodies normally issue formal letters when seeking to meet with NGOs. SERAP further stated that its publication on alleged NNPCL corruption was clearly directed at the DSS as an institution, not at the two officials who later filed the suit.
The rights group recounted that the DSS operatives allegedly made multiple calls from inside the premises to colleagues waiting outside, heightening fears of a possible raid. The convoy reportedly remained parked outside until journalists arrived, after which the vehicles moved away from the building.
SERAP said it released a public alert on X (formerly Twitter) at the time to urge President Bola Tinubu to stop what it described as DPS harassment and unlawful occupation of its premises. It added that the actions of the operatives subjected staff to psychological distress and intimidation.
According to the organisation, allegations by the DSS that the encounter was recorded are incorrect, noting that no such documentation exists. SERAP maintained that its earlier publication did not name the DSS officials and therefore could not have caused personal injury as claimed by the plaintiffs.
SERAP criticised the lawsuit as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at silencing public commentary and discouraging Nigerians from exercising their rights to accountability and free expression. It said it enjoys constructive working relationships with other public agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, NHRC, CCB and BPSR, arguing that the DSS’s approach was inconsistent with established institutional practice.
The group also said it would challenge the competence of the suit on various legal grounds, insisting that the claims are “frivolous, vexatious and without merit”.
The case, filed by DSS officials Sera John and Gabriel Ogundele, with suit number FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, has been adjourned by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court until 19 February 2026 for adoption of final written addresses.
