Stop Castigating Court Over N100 Awarded to 2 DSS Officers – CDHR Cautions SERAP

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to respect the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the defamation suit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement issued on Thursday by Comrade Devo Adeniran, CDHR President and Secretary BoT and Comrade Onyibe Jeremiah, Publicity Secretary, said all individuals and organisations, including civil society groups, must obey decisions of competent courts in line with the rule of law and democratic principles.

The rights group noted that while advocacy organisations and citizens have the constitutional right to freedom of expression and public criticism, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.

According to the statement, the court found that the publication made against the DSS operatives was defamatory and damaging to their professional reputation after reviewing the evidence presented before it.

CDHR urged SERAP to comply with all lawful directives contained in the ruling pending any appeal and refrain from making statements capable of escalating tensions or undermining judicial authority.

The organisation also advised all parties and public commentators to avoid inflammatory narratives that could deepen institutional distrust or portray the judiciary as partisan without credible evidence.

“The rule of law remains the foundation of every democratic society. Human rights advocacy must coexist with accountability, fairness, and respect for due process,” the statement said.

CDHR further stressed that no organisation is above the law, just as no security agency should be immune from lawful scrutiny.

The statement was signed by CDHR President and Secretary Board of Trustees, Debo Adeniran, and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jeremiah Onyibe.