The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Department of State Service (DSS) permission to serve a former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Pat Utomi over his alleged plans to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.
This comes after the court granted an ex parte motion brought by the DSS.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, granted the motion brought by DSS’s lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN).
Kehinde had sought permission to serve the court papers on Utomi at his Lagos address via courier.
The DSS, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 and dated May 13, approached the court for an order declaring the planned “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” by Utomi and his associates as unconstitutional, arguing that it amounts to creating a parallel authority not recognised by the Nigerian Constitution.
The DSS also requested a perpetual injunction restraining Utomi, his agents, and associates from taking further steps towards establishing or operating a shadow government or similar entity.
The DSS, in the suit, argued that Section 1(1) of the Nigerian Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities.
The plaintiff (DSS) alleged that the proposed shadow government undermines constitutional democracy, poses a threat to national security, and could incite political unrest and intergroup tensions.
The DSS, in a supporting affidavit, stated that it is the principal domestic intelligence and security agency of Nigeria, mandated to detect and prevent threats to national security.
It claimed that Utomi and his associates had announced the formation of a shadow government through public statements, social media, and other platforms, with positions such as Ombudsman and members of a Policy Delivery Unit.
At the hearing of the ex-parte motion, Kehinde provided Utomi’s Lagos address in Victoria Island, and prayed the court to grant its request.
Justice Omotosho granted the request for the documents to be served via courier and adjourned the case to June 25 for hearing.
