NewStats: 3,264,087 , 8,182,556 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 03:50 PM 59693i

DSS Sues Pat Utomi Over Creation Of 'Shadow Govt', Alleges Plot To Usurp Tinubu’s Authority


The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, accusing him of attempting to usurp the executive powers of President Bola Tinubu through the establishment of a so-called "shadow government."

According to Vanguard, in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS alleges that Utomi—who was the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2007 election—engaged in activities capable of destabilising the country and posing a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order.Travel guides

The secret police, represented by a team of lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Akinlolu Kehinde, contended that the creation of a shadow cabinet by Utomi constituted “a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.”Travel guides

The DSS said, “The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an uned and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government, contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The agency argued that Utomi’s public announcement of a parallel ministerial cabinet amounted to a deliberate attempt to “mimic executive authority,” noting that his shadow cabinet includes individuals assigned to portfolios such as the Ombudsman and Good Governance (headed by Dele Farotimi), as well as a Policy Delivery Unit and Council of Economic Advisers.Travel guides

“While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, the defendant stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be manned by Dele Farotimi; the Policy Delivery Unit team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga; and the council of economic advisers,” the DSS stated.

The DSS warned that if left unchecked, the initiative “may incite political unrest, cause intergroup tensions and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements,” thereby posing a “grave threat to national security.”

Citing Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the agency argued that only governmental structures established through constitutional means and democratic elections are legitimate in Nigeria.Travel guides

It is seeking a declaration from the court that the shadow cabinet is “unconstitutional, null, and void.”

The agency also asked the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Utomi and his associates from “further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government’, ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution.”

In an affidavit accompanying the suit, the DSS described itself as the country’s principal domestic intelligence and security agency tasked with preventing subversive threats.

It stated that intelligence gathered shows Prof. Utomi’s actions “pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”Travel guides

“The defendant, through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria,” the DSS asserted.

It further claimed that government officials, including the Minister of Information, had made efforts to dissuade Utomi from continuing with what it described as an unconstitutional path, but that “the defendant has remained defiant.”

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant… but the defendant has remained defiant. It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal,” the DSS stated.Travel guides

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), earlier dismissed the move by Utomi and some other opposition elements to form an alternative “shadow government” as a sign of opposition weakness.

Speaking during an interview on Inside Sources, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, Sowore questioned the practicality and effectiveness of such a formation.

The activist noted that it does little to address the pressing socio-political and economic issues facing Nigerians, adding that an existing shadow government cannot be replaced with another shadow government.

“How do you replace a shadow government with another set of shadowy government?” Sowore asked rhetorically.

He however clarified, “I will not begrudge anybody who provides a solution that can bring awareness to the people to the point that they are pushed to do something about their social, political and economic conditions.

“But I do not think that setting up a government with names of people who called themselves a shadow government makes any difference.”

https://saharareporters.com/2025/05/14/dss-sues-pat-utomi-over-creation-shadow-govt-alleges-plot-usurp-tinubus-authority?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKR7bRjbGNrApHtm2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe7q8ZTF0QvEnTuX9Ooo7_CgsusZNWyLvf_qqP3_q3qufL0cA7tY4NzWrkbWA_aem_e0B-BzR61bK8iJ9LBwtDZA

Instead of chasing after the boko boys slaughtering soldiers, the comedians are attacking utomi

The same people who threatened to form a parallel government against the Goodluck Jonathan istration are now using state security apparatus to intimidate, harass, and sue Pat Utomi over his statement about a shadow government.

Bobloco:
The same people who threatened to form a parallel government against the Goodluck Jonathan istration are now using state security apparatus to intimidate, harass, and sue Pat Utomi over his statement about a shadow government.

The same people?? I don’t understand , the same dss with the social obligation to maintain law and order?When them Dey messed him head, you fit replace am oo or tell them this gibberish!

I thought Ronu miscreants said Pat Utomi was working for Tinubu during 2023 Presidential election? Lies and propaganda can never go far before they get exposed



I heard Emilokan almost peed in his diapers the day Pat Utomi announced he was inaugurating a shadow government, some people's Jagaban



Pat give it to them hot hot sir

..what is the name of the cash & carry SAN..?

The secret police, represented by a team of lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Akinlolu Kehinde

..what is the problem here..?

“a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.”

..ask them about invading a democratically elected government in River state..

..useless hypocrtical government of mandate thieves..

So Pat Uromi is now Nigeria's problem bi?

So Pat Uromi is now Nigeria's problem abi?
Boko Haram just slaughtered some soldiers and displaced them from their base. Meanwhile the secret service who is supposed to be supplying actionable intelligence is busy going after its own citizens.

Bobloco:
The same people who threatened to form a parallel government against the Goodluck Jonathan istration are now using state security apparatus to intimidate, harass, and sue Pat Utomi over his statement about a shadow government.

Even if they threatened to form it, did they form any parallel govt to Jonathan Govt and who were the of the cabinet?. Must you guys always reason upside down?

Chinjo2:
So Pat Uromi is now Nigeria's problem abi?
Boko Haram just slaughtered some soldiers and displaced them from their base. Meanwhile the secret service who is supposed to be supplying actionable intelligence is busy going after its own citizens.

What's the difference between Utomi, Bokoharam and Ipob terrorists?. They are all forming parallel govt to the federal government. Govt will not spare any of them.

Tochi3:


..what is the name of the cash & carry SAN..?



..what is the problem here..?



..ask them about invading a democratically elected government in River state..

..useless hypocrtical government of mandate thieves..

The constitution empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in any state. Both OBJ and GEJ had also declared SOE in the past. You bitter losers.

franchasng:
I thought Ronu miscreants said Pat Utomi was working for Tinubu during 2023 Presidential election? Lies and propaganda can never go far before they get exposed



I heard Emilokan almost peed in his diapers the day Pat Utomi announced he was inaugurating a shadow government, some people's Jagaban



Pat give it to them hot hot sir

I hope you will also follow him to DSS custody to go lick his feet there.

His mouth has landed him in trouble. .


-Kiss the truth!

Is there anything wrong in forming Shadow cabinet as opposition?

Putindbutt:

The constitution empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in any state. Both OBJ and GEJ had also declared SOE in the past. You bitter losers.

..why a military man..? Why not a civilian..? Why a soldier...? Why not a Civilian .?..did the constitution say it must be a military ..?

..why must it be a military man.. are we in a military rule ..?.. why Sack a whole State Assembly elected by the people..?

..Thief'nubu who lied that he fought for democrazy..jettisoned democrazy in River State..while under a fake democratic malistration of mandate thieves..

They have no appropriated national budget and are not paid. So, what's the problem since their activities are just opinions and suggestions?

APC destroying every competing opposition necessitates the creation of shadow government.

utomi dey lucky they never put am in chains

Abi DSS smoke dry Remi tinubu shit ?💩

Putindbutt:

Even if they threatened to form it, did they form any parallel govt to Jonathan Govt and who were the of the cabinet?. Must you guys always reason upside down?

Good, you did agree they threatened to form a parallel government. So why did they make that threat in the first place? Don’t you know that by doing so, they created a precedent?

But go on, keep lying to yourself and living in denial. I know that you know that whatever we are witnessing today can never be compared to what Tinubu and his gang of Janjawiidians did to the Goodluck Jonathan regime under the guise of playing opposition.

But he can remove a democratic elected governor?

I have never seen the DSS sueing anybody before, they just pick up people, detain and later to court. Utomi must be very powerful in the country to have received this treatment

The same sets that declared and advised abacha to kill Abiola??for claiming to do something similar?? Tinubu is becoming too weak for me!

For what?
Did he take any budget to any parallel Senate or their Ministers involved in government 's work ?

Chasing shadows all the time. I pissed on APC (All Prominent Criminals)
.

frog12:
utomi dey lucky they never put am in chains

Tochitee:
The same sets that declared and advised abacha to kill Abiola??for claiming to do something similar?? Tinubu is becoming too weak for me!

..who are the same Set baptist..?

Pat Utomi is now from the East...they are talking about dss & her dictatorial tendencies..stipend grabbers & snatchers talking about Abacha & Abiola..

..you want to introduce tribalism & parapoism into a dss matter..

TimeManager:
His mouth has landed him in trouble. .
-Kiss the truth!

What trouble? It's like you don't know the difference between civil and criminal case. That they are suing him instead of arresting and charging him to court should tell you that even the DSS are trying to avoid trouble.

1. Freedom of Association & Expression is Protected by the Constitution
• Section 39(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees:
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
• Section 40 further states:
“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons…”


Utomi’s shadow cabinet is simply an expression of political opinion and policy alternative, not a coup or treason.
2. Shadow Governments Are Not Illegal—They’re Democratic Tools
• Common in Westminster-style democracies like the UK and Canada. They serve as a counterbalance to executive dominance.
• A shadow cabinet doesn’t exercise executive power—it critiques those who do.


Criticism ≠ Coup. Ideas ≠ Insurrection.
3. DSS Overreach Undermines Democracy
• DSS alleging “mimicking executive authority” is legally incoherent.
• Nowhere in the Constitution is political discourse criminalized unless it incites violence—Utomi has never called for force or rebellion.

4. No Criminal Code Cited. No Treason Committed. No Violence Planned.
• This is a civil society initiative, not an armed movement.
• DSS is weaponizing “national security” as a political gag order—something the courts should vehemently reject.

Noted.

He should be charged for treason

Na wa o!

For the first time, the DSS is doing the right thing! They didn't go to his office to arrest and detain him. That's their modus operandi we know.