Court Declares Pat Utomi’s Shadow Cabinet Unlawful

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining Professor of Political Economy Pat Utomi and his associates from establishing a shadow government or cabinet in Nigeria.

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). In his judgment, Justice Omotosho declared the formation of a shadow cabinet unconstitutional, describing it as an alien concept incompatible with the country’s presidential system of government.

The court held that Utomi and his group could not rely on the constitutional rights to freedom of association or government criticism as justification for what it deemed unlawful activity.

Justice Omotosho also commended the DSS for initiating the suit, affirming that the agency was within its rights to act in order to prevent activities that could threaten national security.