Organisation name: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
Name of organisation’s representative: Barr. Ugochi Okpe
Address: 4 Akintoye Shogunle Street, Off John Olugbo Street, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
Membership type: National Member Organisation
Which seat are you nominating for? Sub-Saharan Africa
Organisation Experience
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) was created in 2004 and registered as a non-governmental, non-profit organization under Nigerian laws.
Recognising the unexplored potential of international human rights law for increasing transparency, accountability and protection of economic and social rights in Nigeria, SERAP was created to promote these principles and values. The organization aims to use human rights law to encourage the government and others to address developmental and human rights challenges such as corruption, poverty, inequality and discrimination.
In the 7 years that have followed, we have worked to hold the government to account through the framework of human rights and anti-corruption laws and standards. We have continued to offer free legal advice and services for victims of corruption and economic and social rights. We help those whose economic and social rights are violated to obtain redress.
In the past years, SERAP has developed into a serious public interest organization in the areas of anti-corruption and economic and social rights. Our greatest strength is the use of Nigeria’s international human rights and an-corruption obligations and commitments to interpret national laws, and to hold the government account.
SERAP has experienced and committed team, and an ever increasing pool of volunteers and partners, experienced board, and distinguished national and international advisory boards. The expertise and experience available to the organization has made us well placed to advance our mission and contribute meaningfully to the efforts to address transparency and accountability and socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria today.
Our litigation work benefits hugely from the increasing list of our volunteers—lawyers and non-lawyers alike—and through litigation partnership including with international NGOs such as INTERIGHTS, International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International and the UNCAC Coalition.
SERAP is also a key member of the UNCAC Coalition, which is a global network of over 310 civil society organisations (CSOs) in over 100 countries, committed to promoting the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Established in August 2006, it mobilises civil society action for UNCAC at international, regional and national levels.
Organisation Profile
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is a non-governmental , non profit organization established in 2004, under the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1 of 1990 of the Republic of Nigeria. SERAP aims to promote transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors through human rights.
In a country where sysytemic corruption and the resulting poverty, inequality and discrimination deprive many Nigerians of dignity and freedom to explore ways towards development and prosperity, we work to hold government and public officials at the local, state and federal levels accountable for acts of corruption which are condusive to violations of socio-economic rights of citizens. SERAP also aims to ensure Nigeria’s full compliance with the human rights and anti-corrupton treaties to which it has voluntarily subscribed.
SERAP’s work is divided into three program areas: Research & Publications; Monitoring & Advocacy; and Litigation & Legal Services. Since its establishment in 2004, SERAP has worked to advance transparency and accountability in Nigeria; contribute to the work of anti-corruption institutions; and advance economic and social rights of the citizens.
Candidate Profile
Barr. Ugochi Okpe is a legal Attorney/Programs Associate in SERAP. She has been a staff of SERAP for several years. She is an integral part of the success story of SERAP, widely regarded as an influential human rights voice in Nigeria, and views on issues of human rights are regularly sought by the media.
Ugochi has a vast knowledge of human right on Nigeria and of the African Human Rights system. She has a solid practical experience in the field of human rights advocacy and Litigation.
Ugochi is possessed of the highest levels of commitment to a fair and just society and to professionalism in international human rights law.
She has an several occasions delivered many seminar papers which includes nationally, regionally and Internationally. One of such presentation is the Presention on the “Civil Society Role in recovering Stolen Wealth”presented by Ugochi Okpe in France. A meeting organised by SHERPA and Transparency International.
Ugochi’s work and dedication to human rights, transparency, and accountability is exceptional.
Ugochi is alert, highly motivated professional with a sharp analytical mind. Her research and analytical skills in the area of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights and governance issues is marked by a firm grasp of the core issues and by a painstaking attention to details and nuance.
This ability is reflected in the work she has done in using law as a tool to promote citizen’s economic and social rights in Nigeria, through litigation, advocacy and freedom of information work.
Her Penchant for comparative work in these areas has been unmistakably incisive. These qualities readiate through the candidates untiring passion for cutting –edge multidisciplinary research to date.