The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the plan by former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, to establish a shadow government in Nigeria as unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), Justice James Omotosho held that the idea of forming a shadow government or cabinet is alien to Nigeria’s presidential system of government.
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The court restrained Utomi and his associates from proceeding with the plan, stressing that they cannot hide under the rights of association and free expression to engage in activities deemed unlawful.Shadow Government
Justice Omotosho further stated that the right to criticise government does not extend to creating parallel structures capable of undermining the constitutional order.
He commended the DSS for taking proactive steps through the suit, noting that it was within the agency’s mandate to prevent acts that could threaten Nigeria’s internal security.
