The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Professor Pat Utomi over what it describes as an attempt to set up a shadow government in Nigeria. The legal action, instituted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses the prominent political economist and former presidential candidate of undermining the authority of President Bola Tinubu's administration.
According to the DSS, Utomi's activities—including appointing individuals into unofficial cabinet roles and making public statements about governance outside the constitutional framework—pose a threat to national security and democratic order. The suit argues that forming a parallel government structure violates the 1999 Constitution and could incite public unrest or encourage other unconstitutional groups to emerge.
The agency is seeking a declaration that Utomi’s shadow government is illegal, as well as a permanent injunction restraining him and his associates from continuing such efforts. The DSS believes these actions could erode public trust in the elected government and destabilize the country.
Utomi has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, and the court has yet to fix a date for hearing the case.