THE Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a fresh application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to restrain Professor Pat Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), from making public statements or holding rallies related to a pending suit against him.
The application, filed on Wednesday, follows intelligence reports suggesting that Utomi, who is reportedly abroad, plans to engage in public protests, road shows, media interviews, and other related activities upon his return to Nigeria on June 6.
These actions, the DSS argues, are tied to his proposed formation of a “shadow government,” which is the subject of the pending legal proceedings.
In its motion, the DSS is requesting an interlocutory injunction to bar Utomi, his agents, associates, and any other persons acting on his behalf, from organizing or participating in public gatherings—including rallies, road shows, lectures, media publications, and jingles—that promote the idea of a “shadow government” or any of its associated objectives, pending the resolution of the substantive case.
The DSS, through its counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), said such actions, if not restrained, pose a serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity. The agency emphasised its constitutional role in safeguarding Nigeria’s internal security and preventing threats to lawful governance.
According to the supporting affidavit, the DSS accused Utomi of making public comments and social media posts that undermine the authority of the court and the integrity of the judicial process.
It added that intelligence gathered indicates that Utomi’s planned activities could lead to widespread unrest, similar to the #EndSARS protests of 2020, potentially resulting in the disruption of peace, destruction of property, and loss of lives.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, was initiated after Utomi allegedly made statements during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, held at the University of Lagos on May 26.
Speaking at the event, themed “Shadow Government: A Distraction or Necessity,” Utomi defended the creation of the shadow government concept and suggested that if the court rules against him, he and his group would adopt a new name.
The DSS noted that Utomi has been properly served with court documents through his legal representative, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and that he is fully aware of the pending litigation.
The agency warned that unless the court intervenes with an interim order, Utomi’s actions could amount to a fait accompli, effectively undermining the authority of the judiciary.
“The civil suit was filed in accordance with the DSS’s statutory mandate to maintain internal peace and prevent any form of insurrection or treasonable acts against Nigeria’s democratically elected government,” Kehinde said.
The application is now awaiting the court’s decision on whether the requested injunction will be granted.