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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

NANS Cautions CSOs Against Discrediting Security Agencies

From The Punch · (4m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has cautioned civil society organizations against discrediting state institutions.
  • NANS's statement follows a court ruling in favor of DSS operatives in a defamation suit against SERAP over alleged unlawful invasion of its office.
  • The student body emphasized the importance of respecting court judgments and exercising freedom of expression responsibly.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning to civil society organizations, urging them to refrain from promoting narratives that undermine public confidence in state institutions. This call comes in the wake of a recent High Court judgment in Abuja, which ruled in favor of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives in a defamation suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

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.

— NANS statementQuoting the High Court's findings in the defamation suit between DSS operatives and SERAP.

NANS, in a statement signed by its President, Olushola Oladoja, specifically addressed SERAP's characterization of the DSS operatives' visit to its office as an "unlawful invasion," "raid," and "intimidation." The student body highlighted that the court found these allegations to be false and defamatory, awarding damages and ordering public apologies to the affected operatives. NANS stressed that while freedom of expression and civic advocacy are vital in a democracy, they must be exercised with responsibility and adherence to truth.

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.

— NANS statementPraising the court's decision and its implications for the rule of law.

The association lauded the court's judgment as a reaffirmation of the rule of law and judicial independence. NANS emphasized that any dissatisfaction with court decisions should be addressed through legal appeals, rather than public attacks on the judiciary, which can erode confidence in democratic institutions. The student body also welcomed the clarification that the suit was filed by the DSS operatives in their personal capacities, underscoring the importance of citizens' constitutional rights to protect their reputation through lawful means.

Such inflammatory commentary against the judiciary poses grave dangers to democratic stability, institutional confidence, and public trust in the administration of justice.

— NANS statementWarning about the negative impact of public attacks on the judiciary.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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