DSS asks court to prevent Utomi, associates from attending rallies, other gatherings.
The Department of State Services has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent Professor Patrick Utomi from making additional public statements or participating in rallies in connection with a complaint filed against him over his claimed plot to establish a shadow government in the country.
The request is contained in a new motion filed before the court by the group in response to rumours that Utomi, who is currently abroad, intends to hold protests, road shows, media interviews, and other activities upon his return to the nation on June 6.
The application seeks 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 program(s) aimed at sensitising, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the shadow go
According to the DSS’s legal team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the grounds for the application include that, if not restricted, Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows, and acts will “constitute a serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The DSS also stated that because it is statutorily mandated to protect the country’s internal security and prevent threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions, it is its responsibility to prevent any threat to public order, safety, and national unity.
It added that, prior to filing the substantive suit, Utomi engaged in words and acts intended at compromising the outcome of the case now ongoing in court, of which he is aware.
According to the DSS, Utomi, who is currently abroad and is scheduled to return on June 6, intends to stage road shows and rallies under the guise of free speech and association in order to cause public discontent in support of his purported’shadow government/shadow cabinet’.
In a supporting affidavit, the DSS stated that Utomi’s intention “is to stage road shows and rallies capable of drawing a large number of Nigerians with the intent of causing massive disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, and enabling riots and violent protests, similar to the recent ‘End SARS’ protests in 2020.”
“All of the planned protests, riots, and agitations that will occur if the defendant/respondent’s alleged conduct is not delayed may result in mayhem, anarchy, and the loss of lives and property.
“The proposed allies, roadshows, and actions of the Defendant/Respondent constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety, and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The DSS claimed that on May 26, during the fourth Topaz Lecture Series at the University of Lagos, Utomi made comments that could harm the ongoing legal case.
It claimed that, in utterances widely broadcast by various national publications and social media platforms, Utomi defended the formation of the alleged shadow government and stated that if the suit is successful in favour of the DSS, he and his organisation will assume a new identity.
The DSS stated that Utomi “has been served with the originating process in this suit and has entered appearance through his counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), since May 20, 2025.”
“The defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the pending action before this Honourable Court since he was served with the originating process in this suit by courier, as ordered by this Honourable Court.
“Unless this honourable court intervenes by granting this application, the defendant/respondent’s actions may impose a fait accompli on the court.”
The DSS further stated that granting the application will benefit justice, national security, and the rule of law.