COURT DECLARES PROF UTOMI'S SHADOW CABINET UNLAWFUL

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against the idea of the formation of a shadow government in Nigeria, saying it is unconstitutional and alien to the presidential system of government in the country.

Justice JAMES OMOTOSHO made the declaration in a judgment on a suit filed by the Department of State Services against Professor PAT UTOMI over his plan to establish a shadow government.

Justice OMOTOSHO held that Professor UTOMI and his associates could not hide under the rights to associate and to criticise the government to engage in unlawful activities.

The Judge commended the DSS for filing the suit and held, among others, that it was within the right of the secret police agency to take steps to prevent acts capable of threatening Nigeria’s internal security.