Over 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for the immediate release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a defamation judgment reportedly secured by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The CSOs, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Yiaga Africa, and BudgIT Foundation, made the demand in a joint statement, insisting that access to the judgment is necessary for transparency and informed public engagement.
They expressed concern over the absence of the Certified True Copy and full text of the judgment, warning that the situation raises questions about due process, judicial transparency, and constitutional safeguards.
“We, the undersigned civil society organisations, human rights advocates, constitutional reform actors, and public interest stakeholders, express grave concern over recent developments surrounding the defamation judgment reportedly obtained by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and the wider implications for civic freedoms, judicial transparency, and constitutional democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The groups said public commentary on the case had grown despite limited access to the full judgment, describing the development as troubling for procedural fairness and institutional accountability.
They referenced constitutional provisions, including Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing, and Section 39(1), which protects freedom of expression and access to information.
They also cited Section 22, which places a responsibility on the media to hold government accountable, as well as international instruments such as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
According to them, delays in releasing Certified True Copies of judgments in matters of public interest risk undermining fair hearing rights, appellate processes, transparency in judicial administration, and public trust in the judiciary.
“Timely access to judgments is central to the administration of justice. 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 statement added.
The CSOs urged caution against the use of defamation suits and coercive legal measures in matters involving civic advocacy and public accountability.
They stressed that civil society organisations must be allowed to operate without intimidation, warning that democracy depends on the protection of civic space, judicial integrity, and constitutional freedoms.
