A dramatic legal battle is unfolding as Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) drags Professor Pat Utomi to court over his alleged formation of a 'shadow government', a move the agency describes as a serious constitutional breach and a threat to national security.",
- Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered service of court documents on Prof. Pat Utomi, with a hearing scheduled for June 25.
- The DSS claims Utomi's proposed shadow cabinet is unconstitutional and undermines Nigeria's democratically elected government.
- Utomi’s camp has denied wrongdoing and is mobilizing legal support, with 500 lawyers reportedly being organized for his defense.
- The DSS is seeking a perpetual injunction to stop Utomi and his associates from forming any parallel authority not recognized by the Constitution.
- The case raises questions about dissent, constitutional limits, and the boundaries of political expression in Nigeria’s democratic space.
The DSS has taken Prof. Pat Utomi to court over his announcement of a 'shadow government,' calling it a threat to Nigeria's democracy. The court has ordered that Utomi be served and will hear the case on June 25.
As Nigeria grapples with political realignment ahead of 2027, the boundaries between lawful opposition and constitutional overreach are being tested in court—and in public opinion.
Should alternative political structures like shadow cabinets be considered democratic expression, or do they cross a line in Nigeria’s constitutional system?",
