The Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified that it is not seeking the arrest of Professor Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, leader of a group proposing a shadow government, despite ongoing legal proceedings. This was made known by the DSS lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
Kehinde made the remarks after filing a fresh application before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain Utomi from making further public comments or organizing rallies related to the pending suit over his proposed shadow government.
“Our client is not interested in arresting anybody on this matter, having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the honourable court to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘shadow government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named,” Kehinde stated.
He emphasized that under its current leadership, the DSS is “a very civilized organization with absolute confidence in the rule of law” and that it would always seek judicial remedies when it believes its statutory duties are being impeded. “Let the court have the final say,” he added.
Kehinde commended members of the press for their role in monitoring the legal action initiated against the formation of the proposed shadow government. He reiterated that the suit was filed in accordance with the DSS’ statutory mandate to preserve national peace and prevent insurrection or treasonable activity against the country’s democratically elected government.
According to Kehinde, the interlocutory application was filed due to Utomi’s continued public commentary, which he described as inflammatory and potentially destabilizing. “Instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilized parties before the court are expected to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter, the defendant has continued to make statements capable of igniting chaos in the country,” he said.
“The 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 to same by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome SAN, the defendant has continued to act in a manner that threatens national stability.”
The DSS is requesting an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain Utomi and anyone acting on his behalf from organizing public events such as rallies, lectures, media engagements, or any form of public enlightenment activities aimed at promoting or advancing the objectives of the purported shadow government.
The agency warned that Utomi’s planned road shows and gatherings, if not restrained, “constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Citing intelligence and surveillance reports, the DSS claimed Utomi intends to return to Nigeria on June 6 and commence rallies under the guise of exercising freedom of speech and association, which the agency views as an attempt to stir public unrest and advance his shadow government agenda.
The DSS further stated that Utomi’s actions could lead to “huge disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, enable riots and violent protests just as the recent End SARS protests in 2020.” The agency expressed concern that the proposed gatherings could trigger mayhem, loss of lives, and destruction of property.
The security agency referenced Utomi’s comments during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, held on May 26 at the University of Lagos, where he openly defended the creation of a shadow government and stated that if the court rules in favor of the DSS, his group would simply rebrand under a different name.
The DSS confirmed that Utomi had been served the originating court documents and that he had entered an appearance through his legal counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, on 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 DSS argued, urging the court to act in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law.
The court is expected to consider the application as part of ongoing proceedings under suit number FHC ABJ CS 937 2025. PUO Reports will continue to monitor developments from the courtroom.
