Utomi
Pat Utomi Joyful 500 Lawyers Mobilized to Defend Him Against DSS Lawsuit
Political economist Pat Utomi revealed on Friday that Nigerians are rallying to assemble 500 lawyers to defend him in a lawsuit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Utomi shared the development in a post on X, stating, “It’s energising that some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.”
The DSS had taken legal action against Utomi at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that he sought to establish a “shadow government”—a move the agency claims threatens Nigeria’s Constitution and its democratically elected leadership.
The suit, filed on May 13 by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, urges the court to declare such a plan unconstitutional.
In response, Utomi thanked Nigerians for their widespread support, saying, “I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets. Reminds me of the Nigeria I used to know. I want to thank all.”
The concept of a shadow cabinet has drawn mixed reactions. Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore dismissed it as largely symbolic, questioning its effectiveness. During an appearance on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, Sowore remarked, “How do you replace a shadow government with another set of shadowy governments? I would not begrudge anybody who thinks of solutions that can bring awareness to the people. But I do not think that setting up a government with names of people who call themselves a shadow government makes any difference.”
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