The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has firmly maintained its position that officials from Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) conducted an unlawful invasion of its Abuja office. This reaffirmation comes amid ongoing court proceedings where the organization disputes inaccurate media reports about recent testimonies.
Court Proceedings and Media Misrepresentation
SERAP has expressed concern about what it describes as misleading media coverage of the court proceedings that took place on Monday, November 24, 2025. According to the organization, some media outlets created false impressions about what actually occurred during the hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP clarified that reports suggesting their deputy director admitted there was no invasion of their office were completely incorrect. The organization emphasized that these inaccurate reports could potentially misinform the public about the true nature of the case.
Details of the Alleged Invasion
The controversy stems from events that SERAP says occurred on September 9, 2024, when DSS officials allegedly invaded the organization's Abuja office. According to SERAP's court filings, the DSS operatives used fake identities and arrived in two unmarked vehicles during the operation.
This alleged invasion came shortly after SERAP had written a letter to President Bola Tinubu calling for an investigation into corruption allegations within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The organization had also urged the president to reverse the increase in petrol pump prices, making the timing of the alleged DSS action particularly significant.
Legal Standing and Future Implications
SERAP is standing by the statements of defense and sworn statements filed in court by its legal team, which includes senior advocates Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN. The case represents a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) filed by the DSS against the organization.
The organization has committed to ensuring that the public receives accurate information about the court proceedings and maintains that the DSS action constituted an unlawful invasion of their premises. This case continues to develop as both parties present their arguments before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
