The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has firmly reiterated its allegation that officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted an unlawful entry into its Abuja office. This statement comes as a direct response to conflicting media reports that suggested the organization had withdrawn its claims.
Contradiction of Media Reports
In an official statement released on 25 November 2025 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP clarified that recent news items indicating its deputy director "admits no invasion" were fundamentally inaccurate. The organization expressed concern that these reports created false impressions about what actually occurred during open court proceedings and risked misleading the Nigerian public.
The root of this confrontation traces back to SERAP's public calls for President Bola Tinubu to initiate an investigation into alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and to reassess the recent increase in petrol pump prices. Following this, the DSS filed what SERAP characterizes as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) against the organization.
Detailed Account of the Incident
SERAP provided a meticulous breakdown of the events that transpired in September 2024. According to their account, two DSS operatives arrived at their Abuja office in unmarked vehicles. One of the officials signed the visitor's book using the false name "Sarah David"—not "Sarah John" as was later claimed in the DSS's legal suit. SERAP has stated it possesses a photocopy of this visitor's book entry and will present it as evidence during the trial to demonstrate that the official concealed her true identity.
The organization described how the DSS officials demanded to see management staff, requested official documents, and subjected the front desk officer to interrogation. SERAP has vowed to vigorously challenge the DSS's lawsuit, describing it as "frivolous and vexatious" and intends to seek substantial costs in its favour.
Contradictory Explanations from DSS
SERAP further criticized the DSS for providing inconsistent reasons for the visit. The organization highlighted a significant discrepancy between the agency's initial public statement, issued on 10 September 2024, which described the visit as a "routine investigation," and its subsequent court filing. In the legal documents, the DSS claimed the visit was meant to be a "familiarisation meeting" with SERAP's supposed new leadership—a claim SERAP firmly denies, stating that no such new leadership exists.
The sequence of events shows that after an exchange of correspondence between the DSS's solicitor, Dr. Alex Izinyon SAN, and SERAP's legal team, Messrs Tayo Oyetibo LP, the two DSS officials personally instituted the lawsuit. SERAP maintains that its original publication was directed at the DSS as an institution, known for a history of harassing and intimidating citizens, and not at the individual officials.
SERAP concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to holding power accountable and protecting its integrity against what it perceives as a baseless legal attack designed to silence its anti-corruption and human rights advocacy.
