Court Bars Pat Utomi, from forming shadow government in Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining Professor Pat Utomi, renowned political economist, and a group of his associates from proceeding with their plan to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.
The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice James Omotosho in response to a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In the suit, the DSS argued that the move by Utomi and his group posed a potential threat to national security and could undermine the country’s constitutional order. The agency urged the court to intervene to prevent what it described as an attempt to create a parallel governing structure.
Justice Omotosho agreed with the security agency, ruling that the concept of a shadow government or cabinet is not recognised under the Nigerian Constitution. According to him, such an arrangement is “alien to the nation’s presidential system of government” and therefore unconstitutional.
With the court’s ruling, Utomi and his associates are legally barred from making further attempts to set up the proposed structure or operating in any capacity that suggests an alternative government.
Professor Utomi had in the past advocated for reforms within Nigeria’s political landscape and recently floated the idea of a shadow cabinet as a means of promoting accountability. However, the court’s decision effectively shuts down any formal attempt in that direction unless backed by constitutional provisions.
The defendants are yet to publicly react to the ruling.
