MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Braxton Ilobah
The common adage which holds that it is easier to criticise than do the right thing has played out at the FCT High Court, Maitama Abuja as one of the leading Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) seems to be uncomfortable complying with the rule of substantial justice.
It is on record that SERAP over the years has championed any attempt to make people and institutions to always abide by the Rule of Law. One therefore wonders why it has now resorted to technicalities.
At the resumed hearing of the case instituted against it by aggrieved staff of Department of State Service (DSS), SERAP denied its name. Meanwhile, in the offensive posts SERAP put out, which injured the reputation of the complainants, it said ‘DSS Raids SERAP Office’ and ‘DSS invades SERAP Office’ but now it is insisting that it must be referred to as ‘Registered Incorporated Trustees of SERAP’ denying its own name which it uses.
Basically, it is assessed that it is doing so to evade justice. It is ironic that SERAP, an advocate for accountability, does not want to account for its actions. However, in accordance with the rules, parties were directed to file all preliminary arguments for consideration on 10th February 2025.
As it does not want the matter to proceed to trial, discerning Nigerians are observing how SERAP would riggle itself out of the Accountability test the complainants
want to subject the body to.
