Economist and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi as called the bluff of the Department of State Services, DSS, vowing to appear in court with hundreds of lawyers and defend himself against charges of subversion.
In a post on X, Utomi stated that efforts were underway to assemble as many as 500 lawyers to represent him in court. “It’s energising that some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS,” he posted.
The DSS filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja accusing Utomi of attempting to establish a “shadow government,” which the agency described as an unconstitutional and destabilizing move. The suit, filed on May 13 by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, names Utomi as the sole defendant.
The DSS argued that the concept of a shadow government posed a serious threat to the country’s democratic structure and could incite chaos.
READ ALSO: DSS sues Utomi for planning to create chaos
The agency asked the court to declare the initiative an attack on the Nigerian Constitution.
Utomi, who was the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate in 2007, dismissed the allegations, expressing gratitude for the nationwide support he has received.
“I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets,” he said, subtly mocking the accusations.
The case has sparked debate in political and civil society circles, with many questioning whether the formation of a shadow cabinet constitutes a threat or a legitimate form of political expression.
Crediblenewsng.com
