News

DSS Sues Pat Utomi Over Shadow Government

Published

5 months ago

May 14, 2025

The Department of State Services has sued a former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, accusing him of attempting to illegally usurp President Bola Tinubu’s executive powers by setting up a shadow government.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the DSS alleged that Utomi’s actions posed a threat to national security and constitutional order.

The 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress was named as the sole defendant in the suit.

The suit, which was filed through a team of lawyers led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), on Wednesday, claimed Utomi was attempting to illegally usurp the executive powers of Tinubu.

According to the suit, the planned shadow government or shadow cabinet is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government. contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The DSS, in its contentions, stated that Utomi, through public statements, social media, and other platforms, announced the formation of the body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria.

The secret police added that while he was inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, Utomi stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be manned by Dele Farotimi; the policy Delivery Unit team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga; and the council of economic advisers.

The service said, “Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection.”

The secret police also said it is certain that the defendant’s shadow government, if left unchallenged, could destabilise the country, incite political unrest and undermine national security, as it was intended to create chaos.

It claimed that such a structure, styled as a shadow government, could cause intergroup tensions and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to establish similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a serious threat to national security.

“The plaintiff, in the discharge of its statutory duties, has gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to sections 1(1), 1 (2), and 14(2Xa) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the Constitution and through democratic elections.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant to dissuade him from this unconstitutional path, including statements made by the Minister of Information, but the defendant has remained defiant.

“It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal,” DSS stated.

The DSS further described the planned shadow government as not only an aberration but also a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government currently in place.

Among its requests, the DSS asked the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” being planned by the defendant and his associates as unconstitutional.

It argued that the move amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The DSS further prayed the court to declare that, under Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution is unconstitutional, null, and void.

Additionally, the DSS sought “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents, and associates from taking any steps towards establishing or operating a ‘shadow government’, ‘shadow cabinet’, or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution”.

The DSS highlighted several grounds for its approach to the court, maintaining that Section 1(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establishes the Constitution’s supremacy and its binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.

It further emphasised that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The secret police also referred to Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, which declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom the government derives all its powers and authority.

It argued that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacks legal legitimacy, as it contravenes multiple constitutional provisions.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, the DSS described itself as the principal domestic intelligence and security agency statutorily mandated to detect and prevent threats to internal security, including subversive activities capable of undermining national unity, peace, and constitutional order.

It added that it is empowered to safeguard the nation by preventing threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions.

The DSS further told the court that the defendant had announced the establishment of what he termed a shadow government, comprising several individuals making up its ministerial cabinet.

The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing.

News

JUST IN: Okpebholo Assigns Portfolios To Commissioners, Makes Major Reshuffle

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ministries as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with the Federal Government’s structure.

In an official statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, it was disclosed that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reorganization to ensure that his administration’s SHINE Agenda aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As part of the restructuring, new ministries have been created while some previously defunct ones have been revived, bringing the total number of ministries in Edo State to twenty-eight (28).

According to the statement, the reform is designed to strengthen governance, improve coordination across key sectors, and boost the government’s capacity to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

Below is the list of approved ministries and their respective commissioners:

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy – Pending

Ministry of Works – Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue

Ministry of Mining – Hon. Andrew Ijegbai

Ministry of Information and Strategy – Prince Kassim Afegbua

Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu

Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment – Omoh Anabor

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM

Ministry of Livestock Development – Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa

Ministry of Environment and Sustainability – Hon. (Barr.) Nosa T. Adams

Ministry of Health – Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole

Ministry of Education – Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu

Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development – Dr. Lucky Eseigbe

Ministry of Lands and Housing – Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, JP

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Ohimai Ehijimetor

Ministry of Science and Technology – Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation – Dr. Washington Osa Osifo

Ministry of Youth Affairs – Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo

Ministry of Women Affairs – Eugenia Abdallah

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Barr. Marie Olabisi Idaomi

Ministry of Power – Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie

Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources – Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae

Ministry of Finance – Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor

Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele

Ministry of Transportation – Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP)

Ministry of Justice – Prof. Roland Itoya Otaru, SAN

Ministry of Labour and Productivity – Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi

Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien

Ministry of Public Security and Safety – Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, economic transformation, institutional efficiency, and inclusive development, stressing that the reforms reflect his vision of building a more responsive and people-centered government.

News

Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB), has decried the low turnout at a capacity building exercise for teachers and stakeholders in the state.

The training exercise is being organised in collaboration between the board and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Inaugurating the exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi, SUBEB Chairman, Adamu Mohammed, said about 130 head-teachers; principals, planning and statistics officers were expected to attend the three-day training programme.

Mohammed frowned at the low number of the participants attending the exercise, and vowed to sanction defaulters.

“I’m not happy to see the number of you around now. Ordinarily, you are not more than 70 now. I don’t know exactly what happened. Is it that you are not interested or what?

“Unfortunately; you are not ready for this training. Out of the130 participants, see the number of you present here.

“This is very discouraging. I’m not happy with this number and I don’t think I’m going to pay allowances for 130 participants. I will not, call me whichever name but I’m embarrassed,” he said.

He, however, commended the participants present and instructors, calling for more support in future endeavours.

According to Mohammed, the training exercise aims to keep the teachers abreast and technically oriented to enable them to deliver towards repositioning the basic education level.

He said that such exercise was paramount at the basic level of education – a starting point where one could either have a good education system or a bad one.

Prof. Lawan Abdulhamid, a training facilitator, said the training aimed to build teachers’ confidence and competence in using technology.

He said that it also aimed to bridge the digital divide across schools, enhance learning experiences through interactive digital tools, and strengthen teachers as digital educators and innovators.

Abdulamid is an official of the WITS School of Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian government to develop a control mechanisms on application of the Artificial Intelligence (AI), to check excesses and abuse, particularly in the education sector.

The don also warned teachers and other educators to be wary of the AI, and encouraged them to develop lesson notes/plans, to guard against generating wrong information capable of jeopardising the essence of sourcing materials for teaching.

News

Better Days Ahead, New Bendel Insurance Coach Assures

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

New coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Benin, Coach Kennedy Boboye, on Tuesday assured management and Supporters Club of the Benin Arsenal that things will change for good.

Boboye spoke at his official unveiling as the new coach of the Benin Arsenal which was held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Studium, Benin City.

The new Head Coach, who solicited for cooperation and support from both the management, players and supporters of the club, said with this, he would bring his expertise in football management to bear, and make sure the football club took its position in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Enabulele, expressed optimism that, going by the track records of the new coach, the Benin Arsenal would experience the needed change.

“This coach is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to succeed in this league, and he brings with him a mindset that aligns perfectly with the ambition we have for this football club,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Bendel Insurance Football Club, Jarrett Tenebe, said though he’s not satisfied with the current position of the football club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, this new coach would restore the lost glory.

Bendel Insurance is in the 19th position of the league with six points.