Court to hear DSS suit against Pat Utomi’s ‘shadow government’ on June 25
A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 25 to hear a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Professor Pat Utomi over his formation of a “shadow government.”
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde filed a motion seeking permission to serve court documents on Utomi via courier to his Lagos residence, citing difficulties in reaching him. The application was granted.
Utomi, a professor of political economy, announced the launch of the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government” on May 5, describing it as a credible opposition platform to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS claims that the shadow government violates the Nigerian constitution and poses a threat to national security. The agency argued that such a parallel authority could incite political unrest and encourage separatist movements.
The DSS is asking the court to declare the shadow government unconstitutional and to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Utomi and his associates from pursuing the initiative.
