Youth leaders under the aegis of the Nigerian Youths in Politics and the Coalition of Patriotic Youth Leaders have faulted the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over its social media reactions to a court case involving the organization and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). The youth groups accused SERAP of heating up the polity and misleading the public online.
Call for Legal Redress
During a press briefing in Abuja, the National Secretary of Nigerian Youths in Politics and Convener of the National Security Summit for Green Assembly Initiative and Nigerian Youths Organisation, Ambassador Dr. Duke Alamboye, stated that aggrieved parties should seek legal redress through the courts instead of resorting to social media. He emphasized that the groups do not want judges to feel threatened by public commentary.
Alamboye said: “If you have a judgment against you and you are not satisfied, the first thing is to go to court. We do not expect SERAP to go to social media where the political atmosphere is already heated and people begin to comment negatively, causing more harm.” He accused SERAP of abusing public information channels and attempting to discredit both the judiciary and security agencies despite the Federal High Court ruling on the matter.
Warning Against Intimidation
He further warned against actions capable of intimidating judges, stressing that dissatisfied parties still have the right to challenge judgments at higher courts. He added, “A body like SERAP should know the law and know what to do rather than resorting to social media to instigate the public. We don’t want a situation where judges are made to feel threatened. If you are not okay with the judgment, you can appeal.”
Stay of Execution and Compliance
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Coalition of Patriotic Youth Leaders, Comrade Rikki Nwajiofor, clarified that parties affected by court judgments could obtain a stay of execution pending appeal. He said: “In most cases, when a judgment is passed, the affected party can obtain a stay of execution within seven days. Once that happens, the judgment is temporarily suspended pending further legal action.”
Nwajiofor, however, maintained that all court orders, especially Supreme Court judgments, must be obeyed without exception. He added, “Whether you are the President, a minister or anybody, once the Supreme Court gives a judgment, there is no option but to obey because the court remains the last hope of the common man.” He stressed that civil society groups would continue to demand compliance with final court decisions in order to protect democracy and uphold the rule of law.
