The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed an application with the Federal High Court in Abuja, requesting that Professor Pat Utomi be restrained from holding public rallies or engaging in media activities related to his proposed shadow government.
The DSS’s request follows reports that Utomi, a former presidential candidate currently abroad, has planned protests, road shows, media interviews, and related activities upon his return to Nigeria on June 6.
The DSS, led by its legal team under Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argues that Utomi’s proposed rallies would “constitute a serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The security agency, which is empowered to safeguard the country’s internal security, clarified that its actions are not part of a political witch-hunt but are in the national interest.
The DSS stated that Utomi has already made statements through public platforms, social media, and other channels aimed at undermining the outcome of the pending case. The agency added that Utomi’s rallies could draw a large number of Nigerians, potentially leading to larger protests that might turn violent, similar to the 2020 End SARS protests.
On May 26, during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Utomi made statements defending the creation of the shadow government and suggested that if the suit against him succeeds, he and his group would adopt a different name. The DSS argues that these statements, widely publicized by national newspapers and social media, further undermine the pending case.
The DSS confirmed that Utomi has been served with the originating process in the suit and has entered an appearance through his counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), since May 20, 2025. The agency urged the court to intervene, stating that without the court’s intervention, Utomi’s actions could create a fait accompli situation.
The DSS emphasized that granting the application is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law.
