A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared Prof Pat Utomi’s shadow cabinet as unlawful.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Monday 29th September issued an order restraining a professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, and his associates from proceeding with their plan to establish a shadow government or cabinet in the country.
He issued the order in a judgment on a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
He declared the concept of shadow government or cabinet as unconstitutional and an alien concept to the nation’s presidential system of government.
The judge held that Utomi and his associates could not hide under the rights to associate and to criticise the government as a reason for engaging in unlawful activities.
He commended the plaintiff for filing the suit and held, among others, that it was within the right of the DSS to take steps to prevent acts capable of threatening the nation’s internal security.
