Adebayo Expresses Concerns Over The Dss’S Intrusion Into Serap’S Office.

The presidential candidate for the 2023 general election from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has joined the chorus of Nigerians condemning the recent invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The invasion was alleged to have occurred after SERAP called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and reverse the illegal and unconstitutional increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and to ensure a thorough investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.

SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the invasion, saying, “A tall, large, dark-skinned woman entered our office, accompanied by a slim, dark-skinned man. Other officers were seen in two unmarked vehicles stationed outside our office. The officers who interrogated our office requested to see our directors. The invasion of SERAP’s office and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.”

Taking to his official Twitter handle, @Pres-Adebayo, the SDP leader expressed his concerns, stating that Nigeria cannot revert back to the era of former military head of state, General Sani Abacha, and make it a new doctrine. He called on the government to provide a clear explanation for the invasion.

Adebayo’s tweet read: “I am a firm believer in law enforcement and the rule of law. The invasion of @SERAPNigeria’s offices by agents of the @OfficialDSSNG under the administration of @officialABAT calls for an immediate and transparent explanation. We cannot adopt the methods of the Abacha era as a new doctrine!”

Femi Falana (SAN), a prominent human rights lawyer, also condemned the invasion and urged the Tinubu administration to identify and prosecute the officers responsible. Falana emphasized the need for the government to allow human rights defenders to carry out their work freely, in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

Similarly, Senator Shehu Sani, a well-known lawyer and human rights advocate, expressed his concern over the invasion of SERAP’s office. In a tweet from his official handle, @ShehuSani, he wrote: “The reported invasion of SERAP’s office is concerning. Security agencies must respect the fundamental rights of the organization, its officials, and members, as guaranteed by the constitution of the country.”