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Politics and Government

DSS Moves to Stop ‘Dangerous’ Shadow Govt Rallies by Utomi Group

By Sharon Zachariah
Editor Sharon Zachariah
Posted: June 5, 2025 at 9:04 am, Updated: June 5, 2025 at 9:04 am

DSS Moves to Stop ‘Dangerous’ Shadow Govt Rallies by Utomi Group

DSS has asked the court to stop former presidential candidate Professor Pat Utomi and his associates from holding rallies or speaking publicly about their planned “shadow government.”

The security agency filed a fresh suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Department of State Services (DSS) wants an order to stop Utomi from organising roadshows, public lectures, rallies, or media campaigns related to the shadow cabinet project.

Utomi, who ran in 2007 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had recently declared plans to set up a shadow government. The DSS claims this plan threatens national peace and could undermine Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

DSS asks court to block Pat Utomi from holding rallies linked to his shadow government plans, citing threats to peace and unity.
Professor Pat Utomi

In the new court filing, DSS stated that despite having been served with the pending suit, Utomi has continued to make public comments and issue statements that the agency believes could lead to national unrest.

“Our client is not interested in arresting anybody,” said Akinlolu Kehinde, lead counsel to the DSS. “Instead, we have turned to the courts to seek constitutional clarity and ensure the rule of law prevails.”

Kehinde told reporters that the DSS leadership wants the judiciary to determine whether any form of parallel government—regardless of its name—can exist outside the Nigerian Constitution.

He explained, “The DSS has confidence in democratic processes. That is why it is asking the court to handle the matter. We believe in the rule of law, not in taking matters into our own hands.”

He added that the application for an interlocutory injunction is a lawful step to ensure peace while the court reviews the full case.

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The DSS asked the court to issue an order stopping Utomi and any person acting through him from promoting or organising the shadow government initiative in any form, including TV shows, newspaper columns, jingles, or social media discussions.

They believe Utomi’s activities pose a “serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity.”

According to the DSS, intelligence reports indicate that Utomi, who is currently outside the country, plans to return on June 6 and stage a series of rallies and public engagements in support of the shadow government.

DSS officials claimed that these plans are framed as freedom of speech and assembly, but could easily trigger civil unrest.

They warned that the proposed roadshows and rallies could attract large crowds and escalate into violence, similar to what happened during the #EndSARS protests of 2020.

The agency insists that it is acting within its constitutional duty to prevent threats against lawful authority and the country’s institutions.

In its affidavit, DSS stated that Utomi’s actions aim to undermine the court proceedings and sway public opinion while the matter is still pending.

They said these actions directly challenge the lawful powers of the Nigerian president and the democratic process.

“Let the court have the final say,” Kehinde told journalists. “We all have a duty to defend constitutional democracy.”

He also reminded the media of their role as watchdogs, saying they must pay close attention to developments in the case and ensure the public gets accurate information.

The DSS explained that the court, not the streets, is the proper place to resolve such serious constitutional questions.

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Justice James Omotosho has fixed June 25 to hear the suit. The case is registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, with Utomi as the only defendant.

Kehinde reaffirmed that the DSS only seeks to prevent a breakdown of order. “The defendant has been informed. His lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has entered an appearance. Yet he continues to make inflammatory statements,” he said.

According to the DSS, this disregard for legal process violates the principles of civilized conduct and is why they are seeking the court’s urgent intervention.

The DSS believes that allowing such activities to continue unchecked might inspire other groups to bypass democratic institutions and promote instability.

They urged the court to quickly consider their motion and stop the defendant from causing further disturbance.

As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes are now on how the court will interpret the Constitution regarding the creation of any form of government outside the existing structure.

For the DSS, this isn’t just about one man’s plan—it’s about maintaining law, order, and trust in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

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