US EditionNigeria: Court Stops Pat Utomi From Forming Shadow Govt
The Federal High Court ruled Prof. Pat Utomi’s shadow government plan unconstitutional, highlighting risks of political unrest and national security threats, the Department of State Services said.
- On Monday, September 29, 2025, Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, declaring Prof. Pat Utomi's shadow government plan illegal and void.
- Citing Sections 1 and 1 of the 1999 Constitution, the Department of State Services said the shadow government concept is alien and asked the court to declare any such authority unconstitutional.
- Given the novelty of the issues, the court invited seven amici curiae legal experts who made sharply divided submissions before reserving judgment on July 10, 2025.
- Justice James Omotosho affirmed the court's jurisdiction and cited Sections 1 and 1 of the 1999 Constitution, holding that fundamental rights are not absolute and must operate within constitutional limits to protect public order.
- The court noted that no section of the 1999 Constitution supports a shadow government, and warned defendants cannot justify parallel authorities using foreign models.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Court order on shadow government won’t stop me from expressing myself
Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, has reacted to the federal high court ruling restraining him from forming a shadow cabinet. James Omotosho, the presiding judge, on Monday held that the concept of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and alien to Nigeria’s presidential system of government. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Utomi said his decision to form a shadow cabinet was no…
Court Declares Pat Utomi’s Proposed Shadow Government Unconstitutional
ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared unlawful the move by former presidential candidate Professor Pat Utomi and his associates to establish a shadow government or cabinet in Nigeria. Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgement in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), ruled that the proposed arrangement was unconstitutional and incompatible with Nigeria’s presidential system of go…
Nigeria: Court bars Pat Utomi, associates from establishing a 'Shadow Govt' - Worldstage
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, made an order of perpetual injunction restraining Prof. Pat Utomi and and his associates from establishing “a shadow government” in the country. Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, declared that Utomi’s action was unconstitutional and amounted to creating a parallel government not recognised by the constitution. Justice Omotosho said he had perused the country’s constitution and there was no part th…
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