The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed an application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to restrain Professor Patrick Utomi from making further public comments or engaging in rallies related to his plan to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.
The request was contained in a fresh application filed before the court by the organisation, following reports that Utomi, who is reportedly currently abroad, has planned protests, road shows, media interviews, and related activities, after his return to the country on June 6.
The application sought mainly “an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programs, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme(s) aimed at sensitising, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet’ or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said ‘shadow government’ pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit.”
The DSS argued that Utomi’s proposed actions would pose a serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity.
The application is related to a pending suit against Utomi over his plan to establish a shadow government.
The DSS claimed that Utomi’s actions, if not restrained, could lead to a breakdown of public order, riots, and violent protests, potentially resulting in loss of lives and property.
The agency is statutorily empowered to safeguard internal security and prevent threats to the lawful authority of Nigeria.
The court has fixed June 25 for hearing and ordered service on Utomi.
The DSS seeks to prevent Utomi from taking actions that could undermine the court’s authority and the rule of law.
