**”Demand Greater Judicial Transparency
A broad coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations and human rights groups has raised fresh concerns over transparency and civic freedom following the controversial defamation judgment reportedly secured by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
In a strongly worded joint statement, the organisations warned that the growing controversy surrounding the case reflects deeper anxieties about access to justice, openness in judicial processes and the shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
The coalition argued that public debate over the judgment intensified even as the Certified True Copy (CTC) and full text of the court ruling were reportedly yet to be publicly released, a situation the groups described as troubling in a constitutional democracy that depends on transparency and procedural fairness.
According to the organisations, timely access to court judgments is critical not only for litigants seeking to exercise their appellate rights, but also for maintaining public confidence in the judiciary and preserving the integrity of democratic institutions.
The groups stressed that the constitutional right to fair hearing goes beyond proceedings conducted inside the courtroom and includes access to judicial decisions, transparency in legal processes and the ability of affected parties to respond appropriately through lawful channels.
Referencing constitutional and international human rights protections, the coalition maintained that freedom of expression, access to information and public-interest advocacy remain central pillars of democratic governance.
The organisations further cautioned against what they described as the growing use of defamation litigation and coercive legal actions in matters involving anti-corruption advocacy, accountability campaigns and civic engagement.
According to the coalition, civil society groups must not be subjected to intimidation or disproportionate legal pressure for carrying out legitimate public-interest work aimed at promoting accountability and democratic oversight.
The statement also warned that public institutions must exercise restraint in politically sensitive legal disputes to avoid creating perceptions capable of eroding trust in democratic processes and judicial independence.
While reaffirming respect for the judiciary and the rule of law, the groups insisted that the constitutional right to appeal should never be portrayed as hostility toward the courts or contempt for judicial authority.
The coalition consequently called for the immediate release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, stronger protection for civic freedoms and renewed commitment by state institutions to constitutional democracy, transparency and human rights standards.
Among the organisations that endorsed the statement are ActionAid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), SERAP, Yiaga Africa, Media Rights Agenda, CISLAC, Global Rights and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), among several others.
The groups maintained that democracy can only thrive where judicial integrity, procedural fairness and civic participation are protected without fear or institutional intimidation.
