Shadow Government Scandal: Court Grants DSS Power to Hunt Down Pat Utomi!”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved an ex parte motion filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), allowing the agency to serve court papers to former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Pat Utomi, over allegations that he is attempting to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, granted the motion presented by the DSS’s lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN). Kehinde had requested the court’s permission to deliver the legal documents to Utomi at his Victoria Island, Lagos address via courier.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, dated May 13, the DSS urged the court to declare the formation of a “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” by Utomi and his associates as unconstitutional, arguing it amounts to creating a parallel structure of power not recognized by the Nigerian Constitution.

The DSS is also seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain Utomi, his agents, or associates from making further moves to establish or operate such a body.

According to the suit, Section 1(1) of the Nigerian Constitution asserts its supremacy and binding authority over all individuals and institutions in the country.

The DSS contended that Utomi’s alleged shadow government initiative undermines constitutional democracy, threatens national security, and risks inciting political instability and ethnic tensions.

In a supporting affidavit, the DSS described itself as Nigeria’s main domestic intelligence and security agency, responsible for preventing threats to national stability. It claimed that Utomi and his group had publicly announced the formation of a shadow government using various channels, including social media, and had already assigned positions like Ombudsman and members of a Policy Delivery Unit.

During the hearing, Kehinde presented Utomi’s Lagos address and asked the court to approve service via courier. Justice Omotosho granted the request and adjourned the matter to June 25 for further hearing.