Coalition Urges SERAP, DSS To Respect Court Process, Avoid Escalating Tensions

A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to respect the ruling of the FCT High Court, Abuja, in its case involving officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The coalition also advised both SERAP and the DSS to refrain from making statements capable of heightening tension in the country.
The groups, which include the Green Assembly Initiative and the Nigeria Youth Organisation, made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja. They urged all parties involved in the dispute to remain calm and allow the legal and appellate process to take its full course.
The coalition was reacting to the judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in a suit involving SERAP and DSS officials.
The court ruled that publications stemming from a September 2024 incident, in which SERAP accused DSS operatives of unlawfully invading its office, were defamatory. Justice Halilu awarded damages against SERAP and also ordered public apologies alongside post-judgment interest.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ambassador Duke Alamboye, National Secretary of Nigerian Youths in Politics and Convener of the National Security Summit, stressed that the judiciary must be respected at all times.
“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and must be respected,” he stated.
Although he acknowledged the right of parties to challenge court rulings, Alamboye expressed concern over SERAP’s reaction to the judgment in the public space.
“We strongly believe that continued issuance of highly charged public statements at this stage risks escalating tensions and may inadvertently undermine public confidence in judicial processes,” he said.
He further warned that prolonged media campaigns surrounding the matter could create damaging impressions about the independence of the judiciary and the professionalism of security agencies.
According to him, any party dissatisfied with the ruling should pursue redress through the appellate courts rather than engage in public confrontations capable of inflaming national discourse.
“We reiterate that Nigeria’s democracy is strengthened not by public confrontation with judicial outcomes, but by adherence to due process, respect for the courts, and responsible civic engagement,” he added.
Also speaking during the briefing, the Executive Secretary of the Coalition of Patriotic Youth Leaders, Comrade Rikki Nwajiofor, emphasised that respect for judicial decisions remained vital for sustaining democratic order.
“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man, and if that hope is abused, then citizens will have nowhere to run when oppressed,” Nwajiofor said.
He advised SERAP to seek legal redress through an appeal if dissatisfied with the judgment, rather than resorting to what he described as inflammatory public commentary.
“If you are not comfortable with the outcome of the judgment, then go on appeal. The political atmosphere in the country is already tense. We are not supporting any party involved; our stand is that the rule of law must be respected,” he stated.