The National Association of Nigerian Students has cautioned civil society and advocacy organisations against making public statements that could weaken trust in security agencies and state institutions.
The warning followed a recent judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in a case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and two operatives of the Department of State Services over allegations linked to an incident at SERAP’s Abuja office in September 2024.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS said advocacy groups must act responsibly when communicating on issues involving security agencies and the judiciary.
The student body reacted to the court ruling, which reportedly favoured the DSS operatives in a defamation suit filed against SERAP over its description of the visit of security personnel to its office.
According to SERAP’s earlier position, the presence of DSS operatives at its Abuja office was described as an “unlawful invasion,” a “raid” and an act of intimidation. However, the court, after hearing the case, ruled that the claims were false and defamatory.
NANS said the court decision showed that false statements against security operatives could damage public confidence in state institutions.
“The court, after examining the matter, found the allegations to be false and defamatory and consequently awarded damages and ordered public apologies in favour of the affected operatives,” the statement said.
The student organisation noted that while freedom of expression and civic activism are important in a democracy, they must be guided by truth, responsibility and respect for the law.
It stressed that misleading public statements could harm individuals, institutions and the country’s democratic system if not properly checked.
“NANS considers the judgment a courageous and commendable reaffirmation of the sanctity of the rule of law, judicial independence, and the constitutional right of citizens to seek lawful redress against defamatory statements,” the association stated.
The group added that individuals or organisations who are dissatisfied with court rulings have the right to appeal, but warned that public attacks on the judiciary could weaken public trust in the justice system.
“Such inflammatory commentary against the judiciary poses grave dangers to democratic stability, institutional confidence, and public trust in the administration of justice,” it added.
NANS also welcomed a clarification reportedly made by the DSS that the lawsuit was filed by the operatives in their personal capacities and not directly on behalf of the agency.
According to the student body, this clarification showed that the matter was mainly about protecting the personal reputation and dignity of individuals through legal means.
The association emphasised that democracy can only function effectively when court decisions are respected and state institutions are not subjected to unnecessary public discredit.
It also called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to continue strengthening the judiciary and ensuring that the rule of law is protected in all circumstances.
The dispute between SERAP and the DSS has drawn attention across Nigeria, adding to ongoing national discussions about civic activism, government accountability and the limits of public criticism of security agencies.
Over the years, SERAP has become known for using court actions and public campaigns to push for accountability in government, especially on issues related to corruption, human rights and public spending.
On the other hand, the DSS, which is responsible for internal security and intelligence gathering in Nigeria, has often faced criticism from civil society groups over allegations of heavy-handedness and intimidation. The agency has consistently denied such claims, insisting that it operates within the law.
The recent court ruling and NANS reaction highlight the delicate balance between freedom of expression, accountability advocacy and protection of institutional integrity in Nigeria’s democratic system.
For students under NANS, the issue goes beyond the immediate court case, touching on the need to protect national institutions from what they described as damaging narratives that could weaken public trust.