Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has condemned the recent invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement on its official X page on Monday, SERAP revealed that DSS personnel unlawfully occupied its Abuja office, demanding to see the organization’s directors.
“Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are currently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors. President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” the SERAP statement read.
The DSS’s invasion of SERAP’s office followed the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Mr. Ajaero was on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment when he was arrested and detained.
In its Monday report, the Vanguard newspaper stated that Mr. Falana cautioned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against the unlawful invasion of offices, particularly those of human rights defenders.
He condemned the DSS’s actions and urged Mr. Tinubu to ensure that those responsible for the invasion of SERAP’s office are prosecuted.
He said: “I condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must urgently identify and hold accountable the officers who carried out this invasion in the name of the government. Anyone found responsible for the invasion must be prosecuted. The government must allow human rights defenders to freely carry out their work, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.”
