Victor EzejaThe Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a suit against Pat Utomi, a Professor of Political Economy, accusing him of forming a “shadow government” in Nigeria.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the secret service accused Utomi of attempting to destabilise the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Utomi was named as the sole defendant. The DSS alleged that Utomi’s actions posed a threat to national security and constitutional order.The agency alleged that Utomi’s action was targeted at undermining President Tinubu’s executive powers.
Utomi, a former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and convener of the Big Tent coalition, had explained that the shadow team which was unveiled recently is focused on examining issues in governance and holding the government accountable, in line with democratic principles.
However, in the suit filed on Wednesday, by lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the DSS claimed that the activities and statements made by Utomi and his associates were “capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection.”
The plaintiff further asserted that the defendant’s shadow government was designed to cause disorder, and if left unchecked, may destabilise the country, spark political turmoil, and affect national security.
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It claimed that such a system, tagged a “shadow government,” might lead to conflicts between groups and give other illegal actors or separatist organisations the confidence to set up equivalent parallel structures, all of which would be extremely dangerous for the country’s security.
While citing Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the agency urged the court to declare that the creation or operation of any governmental body outside the framework of the Constitution is null and void.
“The plaintiff, in the discharge of its statutory duties, has gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to sections 1(1), 1 (2), and 14(2Xa) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the Constitution and through democratic elections,” it stated.
The proposed shadow government, according to the DSS, is not only an aberration but also a serious assault on the Constitution and a danger to the incumbent democratically elected government.
It contended that the action amounts to an effort to establish a parallel authority that is not recognised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It also stated that the purported shadow government is not registered or recognised in the constitution.
Among the prayers sought by the plaintiff was a perpetual injunction restraining Utomi together with his agents and associates, from taking any further steps in establishing or running any form of “shadow government,” “shadow cabinet,” or a similar entity not approved by the constitution.
The DSS further emphasised that in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law, the court should declare the existence and operations of the shadow cabinet formed by Utomi as “unconstitutional and illegal.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
