DSS seeks to stop Utomi’s “shadow government” rallies

DDM News

The Department of State Services (DSS) has escalated its legal efforts to restrain Professor Pat Utomi and his associates from holding rallies, public lectures, and engaging in media appearances under the banner of a “shadow government.”

In a fresh application filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the DSS is seeking an interlocutory injunction, citing concerns that such activities could pose a “serious threat to public order, safety, and national unity.”

This move underscores the heightened political tensions within Nigeria, as the government seeks to curb what it perceives as subversive activities.

The ongoing legal battle has garnered significant attention, with extensive coverage across various media outlets, including a strong presence on Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) platforms.

These DDM channels have become a critical forum for discussing the implications of the DSS’s actions on democratic freedoms and civic space in Nigeria.

Many within the diaspora view the DSS’s efforts as an attempt to silence dissenting voices and suppress legitimate criticism, while others maintain that national security must take precedence.

The debates on DDM highlight the diverse perspectives on governance and civil liberties among Nigerians worldwide.

Professor Utomi, a revered political economist and public intellectual, has been an outspoken critic of the present administration’s policies and has been actively advocating for an alternative governance structure, which he terms a “shadow government.”

The DSS’s legal team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argued in their application that Professor Utomi’s proposed activities—including rallies and roadshows planned upon his return to Nigeria on June 6—are designed to “cause public discontent” and could lead to “huge disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, enable riots and violent protests, just as the recent ‘End SARS’ protests.”

The DSS emphasizes its statutory mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s internal security and prevent any threats to lawful authority.

Conversely, Professor Utomi’s legal team, headed by Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has entered an appearance, signaling a robust defense.

Human rights activists and legal analysts are keenly watching the proceedings, arguing that any blanket restriction on rallies and public discourse would be a direct assault on the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and assembly enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

This legal tussle is set to become a landmark case, as it will determine the extent to which the Nigerian state can restrict political expression in the name of national security.

It will inevitably shape the future of civil liberties in the country.

The court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for public discourse and political activism in Nigeria.

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