CSOs Demand Transparency in SERAP Defamation Case

Civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised alarms regarding judicial secrecy in the N100 million defamation case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). In a joint press statement signed by 52 organizations, they expressed worries about the lack of transparency surrounding the judgment, noting that neither a certified true copy nor the full text of the judgment has been released.

This situation has sparked widespread concern about procedural fairness and adherence to due process, as guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The organizations emphasized that access to judicial decisions is essential for evaluating legal options for appeal.

They warned that delays in making the judgment public could undermine fair hearing rights and public confidence in the judiciary. The CSOs called for the immediate release of the judgment and stressed that the right to appeal should not be interpreted as contempt of court.

They urged respect for constitutional and international human rights protections to maintain civic space and democratic integrity.