Shadow Govt: Court slates June 25 for hearing, orders service on Utomi

Utomi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the service of court documents on Patrick Utomi, a former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, in a suit filed against him by the Department of State Services over his alleged plans to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, granted an ex parte motion brought by the 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.

Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part of it outside the provisions of the Constitution. Punch