SERAP Appeals ₦100M Judgment Favoring DSS Officials

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed a ₦100 million judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, which favored officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). The appeal was filed on May 8, 2026, by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, alongside Senior Advocate Tayo Oyetibo.

SERAP argues that the judgment contains legal defects and procedural flaws, asserting that the evidence presented was insufficient and that the court's decision was fundamentally flawed. The original case stemmed from allegations that DSS officials unlawfully occupied SERAP's office and harassed its staff.

The court ordered SERAP to publish an apology and pay damages, which SERAP claims would disrupt its operations and violate its constitutional rights. The organization emphasizes that enforcing the judgment would hinder its human rights advocacy efforts, affecting thousands who rely on its work.