SLAPP Lawsuits Threaten Nigeria's Civic Space, Warns Group

Hope Behind Bars, a civil rights organization, has raised concerns about the increasing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Nigeria, which threaten freedom of expression and civic engagement. During a program in Abuja commemorating World Press Freedom Day, Nurudeen Hassan, the organization's program manager, described these lawsuits as a quiet danger that suppresses justice and intimidates journalists.

The organization aims to confront the misuse of the legal system through various interventions, including the launch of a digital platform called SLAPP Monitor, designed to track incidents of suppression and provide victims with access to pro bono legal support. Ogechi Ogu, a consultant, noted that SLAPPs are leading to self-censorship among journalists, with many afraid to speak out due to the fear of legal harassment.

Grace Ekeh, chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, condemned the growing legal intimidation against journalists, asserting that press freedom is a non-negotiable right.