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ABUJA – Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS), the nation’s secret police, has initiated legal action against Professor Pat Utomi. The SSS accuses the prominent academic and political figure of a bold attempt to establish an unconstitutional “shadow government.” This lawsuit was filed on May 13 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025. The development means the SSS sues Pat Utomi for shadow government formation as a direct challenge to state authority.
The SSS contends that Professor Utomi’s alleged initiative represents a serious assault on the Nigerian Constitution. “The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government,” the SSS declared in its filing. The security agency warns such a move could ignite political unrest, work to destabilize established democratic institutions, and potentially embolden separatist movements.
Allegations: Utomi’s Shadow Cabinet and SSS Monitoring
According to the SSS, its operatives monitored Professor Utomi’s activities through both intelligence gathering and open-source information. This surveillance reportedly revealed Utomi naming specific individuals to key roles within this purported shadow cabinet. Among those allegedly named are Dele Farotimi for Good Governance, along with policy advisers Cheta Nwanze and Halima Ahmed.
“Through public statements, social media, and interviews, the defendant announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government,” the SSS firmly asserted. The agency argues that such a structure directly contravenes Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution. These sections explicitly reserve governing authority in Nigeria exclusively for constitutionally created institutions. The core of why the SSS sues Pat Utomi for shadow government plan lies in these alleged constitutional violations.
SSS Seeks Court Order to Halt “Illegal” Structure
In its legal prayers to the court, the SSS is asking for decisive action. The agency wants the court to officially declare the “shadow government” unconstitutional. Furthermore, the SSS seeks a perpetual injunction to permanently restrain Professor Utomi and any associates from taking further actions related to this body.
“The establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution… is unconstitutional, null, and void,” the SSS stated with emphasis. The agency highlighted its statutory duty to protect Nigeria’s internal security and to prevent any acts that could undermine national unity or the existing constitutional order. The case detailing how the SSS sues Pat Utomi for shadow government concept has not yet been assigned to a specific judge for a hearing.
By Abdullah Korede
