The Federal High Court in Abuja has been approached by the State Security Service (SSS) to restrain former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, from making further public comments or engaging in rallies related to a pending suit concerning his proposal to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.
The request was contained in a fresh application filed before the court on Wednesday. According to the SSS, intelligence reports indicate that Prof. Utomi, currently abroad, intends to stage protests, road shows, media interviews and related public activities upon his return to the country on June 6.
The SSS is seeking “an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant or respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programs, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme aimed at sensitizing, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported shadow government or shadow cabinet or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said shadow government pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit.”
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akinlolu Kehinde, the SSS argued that Utomi’s proposed activities pose a “serious threat to public order, safety and national unity.” The agency emphasized its constitutional mandate to prevent internal threats and safeguard the lawful authority of the Nigerian state.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the SSS contended that Utomi has made several public statements and social media posts promoting the shadow government, despite being fully aware of the pending legal proceedings.
According to the agency, intelligence suggests that upon his return, Utomi plans to stage public events “under the guise of freedom of speech and association” aimed at generating public unrest, with potential for violent protests and civil disruption similar to the 2020 EndSARS demonstrations.
The SSS said, “All the planned protests, riots and agitations that will ensue, if the purported actions of the defendant or respondent are not stayed, may lead to mayhem with a potential for anarchy, loss of lives and property.”
The application cited Utomi’s remarks during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series held on May 26 at the University of Lagos, where he defended the creation of a shadow government. According to the SSS, Utomi further stated that even if the court rules against the initiative, it would merely adopt a different name.
The agency noted that Utomi had been served with the originating processes in the case and had entered appearance through his counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, since May 20, 2025.
“Unless this honourable court intervenes by granting this application, the defendant’s acts may foist a fait accompli on the court,” the SSS stated in its supporting affidavit. “It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to grant this application.”
Speaking to journalists shortly after filing the application, lead counsel to the SSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, emphasized the agency’s intent to rely on the judiciary for a constitutional interpretation of the legality of establishing any form of government outside the constitutional framework.
“This fresh application is premised on the fact that despite the pendency of the substantive action, the service of same on the defendant and the entry of appearance by his counsel, the defendant has continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos,” Kehinde said.
He added, “Our client is not interested in arresting anybody but seeks the court’s interpretation of whether any form of alternative government structure is permissible under the Constitution.”
Kehinde stressed that the SSS, under its current leadership, remains committed to the rule of law and will continue to resort to legal channels to address perceived threats to national security.
PUO Reports will continue to monitor proceedings as the court deliberates on this high-profile case.