Court shuts down Utomi’s shadow govt

By John Ogunsemore

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared as illegal and unconstitutional the decision of a former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, to form a shadow government in Nigeria.

Justice James Omotosho delivered a judgment on Monday in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, which was instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), challenging the legality of Utomi’s contraption.

Justice Omotosho ruled that forming a shadow government contravenes the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and is alien to the presidential system of government which the nation currently practises.

The judge subsequently issued an order restraining Utomi and his associates from going ahead with the plan, saying they could not hide under their right to criticise or hold the government accountable, to engage in unlawful activities.