Political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has said a group of Nigerians is mobilising legal support in response to a lawsuit filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
He disclosed this on Friday via his official X handle.
“It’s energising (that) some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS,” he stated.
Though, this is coming after the secret police dragged Utomi to the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of attempting to institute what he termed a “shadow government” in Nigeria.
The DDS is urging the court to classify the action as unconstitutional.
In court documents dated May 13 and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akinlolu Kehinde, the DSS argued that Utomi’s initiative was not only improper but posed a serious threat to national stability and the current democratic order.
Utomi, who contested the presidency in 2007 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is the sole defendant in the case.
However, despite the legal action, Professor Utomi expressed gratitude for the messages of support he has received from around the country.
“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,” he wrote.
