The Department of State Services (DSS) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Professor Pat Utomi from promoting his controversial shadow government proposal in Nigeria.
According to a report, the application, filed by DSS lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, accuses the former presidential candidate of planning to incite unrest through protests and public events related to the shadow government idea.
The DSS claims that intelligence reports show Utomi, who is currently overseas, intends to return to Nigeria on June 6 to begin public engagement around the alternative governance concept. The agency believes this campaign may lead to disorder similar to the #EndSARS protests of 2020.
In response, the DSS is seeking an interlocutory injunction to prevent Utomi, his allies, or representatives from organising rallies, holding media campaigns, or leading lectures that promote the shadow government agenda. The request is pending before the Federal High Court while a broader suit progresses.
Utomi allegedly made remarks at a recent University of Lagos lecture defending the concept and suggesting it could be renamed if challenged in court. The DSS argued that these comments directly challenge judicial authority and could undermine public order.
Court documents filed by the agency suggest the shadow government plan, although presented as civic engagement, is a subversive act that threatens national stability. Utomi has been served legal documents through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, but the DSS claims he continues to ignore court proceedings.
Kehinde told reporters, “Our client is not acting out of personal interest or political bias. It is simply asking the court to interpret whether any entity can set up a government, by any name, outside of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.”
He described the DSS as a law-abiding institution committed to legal processes and protecting national peace through constitutional means, rather than arrests or force.
Justice James Omotosho has scheduled June 25 to hear the substantive suit. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, lists Utomi as the sole defendant.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
