By BONIFACE AKARAH

No fewer than 52 civil society organisations in Nigeria have expressed concern over the defamation judgment reportedly secured by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), warning that the development raises troubling questions about judicial transparency, civic freedom and constitutional democracy.

The coalition, comprising prominent rights groups and public interest organisations including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, Yiaga Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development, made their position known in a joint press statement dated May 11, 2026, signed by all 52 organisations.

Other signatories to the statement include ActionAid Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda, Transition Monitoring Group, Enough Is Enough Nigeria and Zero Corruption Coalition, among several others.

The organisations said they were worried by public reactions to the judgment despite reports that neither the Certified True Copy (CTC) nor the full judgment had been publicly released at the time discussions surrounding the case intensified.

According to the coalition, such circumstances raise “important concerns regarding procedural fairness, institutional responsibility, and adherence to the principles of due process that underpin constitutional democracy.”

The groups argued that timely access to judicial decisions remains a critical component of fair hearing and justice administration, warning that delays in releasing judgments could weaken public confidence in the judiciary.

“Without access to the judgment, litigants may be unable to properly evaluate their legal position, pursue informed appellate review, or respond responsibly in the public domain,” the coalition stated.

The civil society organisations anchored their concerns on Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing, as well as Sections 39(1) and 22, which protect freedom of expression and empower civic actors and the media to hold government accountable.

They also referenced international legal protections, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, stressing that restrictions on civic expression and public-interest advocacy must meet standards of legality, necessity and proportionality.

The coalition further cautioned against what it described as a growing pattern of using defamation lawsuits, coercive legal actions and institutional intimidation against organisations involved in anti-corruption advocacy and public accountability work.

“Democratic societies depend on the ability of civil society organisations to question authority, scrutinise public institutions, and engage in robust public-interest advocacy without fear of disproportionate retaliation,” the statement said.

The organisations also insisted that seeking appellate review of a court judgment should not be construed as disrespect to the judiciary or contempt of court.

“To suggest otherwise risks weakening constitutional safeguards and discouraging legitimate legal recourse,” the statement added.

They called for the immediate release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, respect for constitutional and international human rights guarantees, restraint in public commentary on judicial matters where records are unavailable, and stronger protection for civic space and public-interest advocacy.

The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on elections and institutions but also on the preservation of civic freedom, judicial integrity, procedural fairness and the rule of law.