Court Halts Utomi’s Shadow Government Plans
… Says Action Unlawful, Illegal
The plan by a former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi to establish a shadow government in Nigeria has received a major set back.
This is as Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declared illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional the plan to establish a shadow government in Nigeria.
The judge on issued an order restraining Utomi and his associates from proceeding with their plan to establish a shadow government/cabinet in the country.
Justice Omotosho issued the order while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Utomi.
The judge ruled that the concept of a shadow government/cabinet was unconstitutional and an alien concept to the nation’s presidential system of government.
The judge held that Utomi and his associates cannot hide under the rights of association and to criticise the government to engage in unlawful aactivities.
Justice Omotosho commended the plaintiff for filing the suit and held, among others, that it was within the right of the DSS to take steps to prevent acts capable of threatening the nation’s internal security.
