A federal high court in Abuja has declared unlawful, Pat Utomi’s plan to establish a shadow government or cabinet in Nigeria. The judgment was delivered on Monday by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, who declared the concept as unconstitutional and foreign to the nation’s presidential system of government in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 and filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The judge noted that Utomi and his associates cannot disguise under the rights of association to engage in unlawful activities, and he further commended the plaintiff for filing the suit, adding that it was within the right of the DSS to prevent any act capable of threatening the nation’s internal security.
Justice Omotosho said, “Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people.
“Such a shadow government is hereby declared void.”
Recall that on May 5, the former presidential candidate declared intentions to establish a shadow government or cabinet; however, the DSS initiated a suit against Utomi on May 14, arguing that the move posed a significant threat to national security.