The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 25 to hear a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against political economist Pat Utomi over his recently announced “shadow government.”
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after granting a motion ex parte filed by DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, seeking permission to serve court documents on Utomi via courier to his Lagos residence.
Kehinde told the court that earlier attempts to deliver the documents had failed.
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Utomi, a professor of political economy, unveiled the initiative on May 5 during a virtual launch under the banner of the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government.
He described the move as a means to provide credible opposition to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS is asking the court to declare the shadow government unconstitutional. The agency alleges that the initiative is designed to sow instability and undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order.
According to the DSS, Utomi’s shadow government could trigger political unrest, fuel inter-group tensions, and inspire separatist movements to form similar unauthorized structures, posing serious risks to national security.
The DSS is seeking a judicial declaration that the shadow cabinet constitutes a parallel authority that violates Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The agency is also asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Utomi, his agents, and associates from taking any further steps to establish or operate any shadow government or similar entity not recognized by law.
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