Court stops Pat Utomi from forming shadow govt

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, barred Prof. Pat Utomi from establishing “a shadow government” in the country, describing the move as “unconstitutional and void.”

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, upheld the arguments of the Department of State Services (DSS) that Utomi’s action portends danger to the peace and security of Nigeria.

Justice Omotosho said he had perused the country’s constitution and there was no part that supports the formation of a shadow or parallel government.

Citing Section 1(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the judge said the constitution is supreme and binding on all citizens irrespective of political divides.

“The Nigerian constitution makes me room for shadow government.

“Therefore, any participation in any government which is unknown to law will be struck down by this court

“I hereby declared the formation as void,” the judge ruled.

The judge also affirmed the jurisdictional power of the court to entertain the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court, in dealing with the novel issues of “shadow government,” had invited some eminent legal experts for their professional inputs.

Justice Omotosho had, on July 10, fixed today for the judgment in the DSS’ suit against Utomi, a Professor of Political Economy and Management Expert.

The judge fixed the date after DSS’ counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN; Utomi’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and the seven invited amici curiae (friends of the court) made their submissions for and against the suit.

Comments

JUST IN: If Tinubu Had Told Me, I Wouldn’t Have Agreed To Rivers State Of Emergency Rule – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he would not have agreed with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he had discussed his move to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Wike noted that he is not in conflict with the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara He stressed his opposition on the State of Emergency rule, stating that only the President knows the right time to lift it. While speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Wike remarked that Fubara has permitted himself to be manipulated by his adversaries to oppose him. The FCT Minister said: “ I made it clear that this impunity will not stand, so what is happening in PDP is what I call undertakers because I see no reason why you will put yourself under that kind of crisis. “I don’t have any crisis with him (Fubara). I’m not the President who declared a State of Emergency; if Mr President had called me, I wouldn’t have agreed to the State of Emergenc...

Breaking: ASUU suspends 2-week warning strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has suspended its two-week warning strike it declared last week across all public universities in the country. The union announced the suspension on Wednesday at a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja. President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, who read a prepared speech before newsmen, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians. However, he sad the National Executive Council of the Union resolved to give the government a one-month window to address all contending areas.

Woman Burned to Death, Accused of Kidnapping 7yrs Old Boy in Delta

By Tessy ogbemi An angry mob set ablaze a woman accused in a failed child kidnapping attempt in Agbarho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident happened on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. An eyewitness disclosed at the scene of the incident at Ekwvere Road claimed that the woman hid the seven year old boy she allegedly abducted in a sack, adding that she was even carrying a Bible on one hand. Community sources said some residents in the area accosted the lady when they observed the way she was dragging the sack, to know what she had in it. "She was unstable when they asked her to disclose what she was carrying in the sack. When the bag was forced open, they found a seven year old child in it. They shouted and it attracted a large crowd,” a source said. It was gathered that the angry mob immediately brought a used tyre to the scene, which they forced down her neck after beating her to a pulp. “The lady and the tyre we...

FocalPoint Reports

Search This Blog