News
Allegations of Shadow Govt: Court orders substituted service on Utomi in Lagos
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered substituted service of court processes on the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Patrick Okedinachi Utomi (also known as Prof. Pat Utomi) in relation to a suit pending against over his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.
In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 filed by the Department of State Services, DSS, through a team of lawyers, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the Service argued that, not only is the planned shadow government an aberration, it constitutes a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the current democratically elected government.
On Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho granted an ex–parte motion argued by Kehinde for and order allowing service of court documents on Utomi, listed as the sole defendant, in his Lagos address by means of courier service.
The plaintiff gave Utomi’s Lagos address while Justice Omotosho adjourned till June 25 for hearing, before which Utomi is expected to have filed his defence.
In the suit instituted on May 13, the DSS expressed concern that such a structure, styled as a ‘shadow government,’ if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause inter group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which pose a grave threat to national security.”
The plaintiff wants the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or”‘shadow cabinet” being planned by Utomi and his associates as “unconstitutional and amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The DSS is also seeking a declaration 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 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). is unconstitutional, null, and void.”
The plaintiff wants the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Utomi, his agents and associates “from further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government,’ ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Among the grounds on which the plaintiff is hinging its prayers includes that Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.
It added that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
According to the DSS, Section 14(2Xa) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government through the Constitution derives all its powers and authority.
It is contending that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacks constitutional recognition and authority, thereby contravening the aforementioned provisions.
The plaintiff further stated, in a supporting affidavit, that it is the principal domestic intelligence and security agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, statutorily mandated to detect and prevent threats to the internal security of Nigeria, including subversive activities capable of undermining national unity, peace and constitutional order.
The DSS added that it is statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of Nigeria and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Its constituent institutions.
It states that it has monitored, “through intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews granted by the defendant, Professor Patrick Utomi, in which he announced the purported establishment of what he temed a ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet,’comprising of several persons that make up its ‘Minister.’
“The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognized 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 defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria.
“While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, the defendant stated that it ls 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.
“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,” it said.
The DSS further states that it is particularly, concerned that such a structure, styled as a ‘shadow government,’ if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause intergroup tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which pose a grave 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 Consttution 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,” it said.
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News
Xenophobia: Air Peace evacuates more Nigerians from South Africa
Air Peace has completed the fourth phase of the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa, bringing another 284 Nigerians home.
The spokesperson for Air Peace, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, disclosed in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
He said the development was part of the federal government’s ongoing efforts to evacuate citizens affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Mr Osifo-Whiskey said that the latest evacuation flight was operated with the airline’s Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft.
He said the 284 returnees arrived in Nigeria on Thursday evening, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,085.
The official said the operation demonstrated Air Peace’s continued commitment to supporting the government’s emergency response efforts by providing safe and seamless transport for stranded Nigerians.
According to him, the airline evacuated 262 Nigerians during the first mission on June 11, and brought back 271 on June 30, and brought back 268 on July 3.
He said that the successful completion of the fourth evacuation mission highlighted the airline’s readiness to deploy its fleet and operational capacity in support of national emergencies whenever required.
“This is more than an airlift. The ongoing evacuation exercise reflects Air Peace’s unwavering humanitarian philosophy—one rooted in compassion, patriotism and abiding commitment,” said Mr Osifo-Whiskey.
He said that the airline had carried out more than 16 evacuation and relief missions across Africa and beyond since it began operations.
Mr Osifo-Whiskey said that Air Peace remained committed to supporting Nigerians at home and abroad, adding that it would continue to deploy its resources whenever called upon to assist citizens in need.
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Headline
Ondo female student forced into sex-for-grades by HOD — NANS
The National Association of Nigerian Students has alleged that a female student of a tertiary institution in Ondo State was coerced into a sex-for-grades ordeal by her Head of Department after repeatedly failing a compulsory course needed for her graduation.
The President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed this in a statement on Friday titled, “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.”
According to Akinteye, the student had only one outstanding course preventing her from graduating with her colleagues and returned to the institution to retake the examination.
He said the student was informed that she had failed the course again and subsequently approached the lecturer, who also served as the Head of Department, to seek clarification on why she was unable to pass.
According to the NANS president, the student alleged that the lecturer told her she could never pass the course and, after several encounters, demanded a sexual favour in exchange for awarding her a passing grade.
“She further alleged that, after several encounters, the lecturer demanded that she perform a sexual act on him in his office in exchange for a passing grade,” the statement partly read
Akinteye said the student claimed she felt trapped and believed she had no option if she wanted to graduate.
“Feeling trapped and believing she had no other option if she wanted to graduate, she said she complied and she gave the him BLOW JOB as demanded by him,” he stated.
According to him, the student believed the incident would end there, but the lecturer allegedly continued contacting her about a week later.
He alleged that the lecturer repeatedly called the student and invited her to his residence, implying that she would have to continue the sexual relationship before she could finally be cleared.
“Disturbed and afraid, she reached out to me for help,” Akinteye said.
The NANS president explained that although he initially intended to escalate the matter publicly, the student pleaded with him not to do so because she feared further victimisation and only wanted to graduate without additional harassment.
He said he subsequently contacted relevant authorities within the institution and was informed within three hours that the student had been cleared.
“While I am relieved that she was able to complete her academic process, I am deeply saddened that she was too afraid to publicly identify herself or the lecturer involved.
“This reflects the fear, intimidation and stigma that many female students face when confronted with sexual harassment,” he said.
Akinteye described the incident as part of a wider problem of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions, noting that many similar cases remain unreported because victims fear retaliation, embarrassment and victimisation.
“No student should ever be forced to exchange sexual favours for academic success. Our campuses must be places of learning, not environments where students are exploited by those entrusted with their education,” he added.
He urged female students experiencing sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation to report such incidents to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that complaints would be handled professionally, confidentially and with the seriousness they deserve.
“We are committed to handling such complaints professionally, confidentially, and with the seriousness they deserve. Together, we must build campuses where every student can pursue an education free from fear, harassment, and abuse,” he said.
The NANS president, however, did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the institution were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, as NANS did not identify the school in its statement.
Credit: Punch
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Lagos queries LAGESC officer caught on camera collecting ₦20,000 bribe
The Lagos State Government has issued a query to an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps over allegations of corruption after a viral video purportedly showed him receiving a ₦20,000 bribe from a suspected environmental offender.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X on Friday, describing the officer’s alleged conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the ethics and core values of the agency.
According to Wahab, the officer has been formally queried, while a Personnel Management Board will be constituted to investigate the incident in line with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
“My attention has been drawn to a viral video allegedly showing an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps receiving a bribe from a lawbreaker. Such conduct is unacceptable and runs contrary to the rules, ethics, and core values of the Agency,” Wahab wrote.
“Consequently, we have immediately issued the officer a query, and this will be followed by the constitution of a Personnel Management Board (PMB) to investigate the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.”
The commissioner reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The Lagos State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and any form of misconduct within its public service. Any officer found culpable will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary measures as stipulated by the relevant regulations,” he said.
Wahab also warned members of the public against attempting to bribe government officials, stressing that both giving and receiving bribes are criminal offences.
“I also wish to remind Lagosians that offering a bribe is as unlawful as receiving one. We urge everyone to obey the law and refrain from attempting to compromise enforcement officers.
“Together, we can uphold integrity, strengthen public trust, and build a more accountable and responsible society,” he added.
In the query letter attached to the commissioner’s post, the officer was accused of collecting ₦20,000 from an offender, an act that was allegedly captured on video and circulated on social media.
The letter, referenced MOE/LAGESC/431/56 and dated July 10, 2026, stated that the footage was viewed by the Lagos State Governor.
“You were alleged to have collected the sum of Twenty Thousand Naira (₦20,000) from an offender. This act was recorded and posted on social media, where it was viewed by His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State,” the letter read.
It described the alleged conduct as corruption and extortion, adding that it constituted serious misconduct under the Public Service Rules.
The officer was directed to submit a written explanation within 48 hours stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
“Your representation (if any) must reach the undersigned officer within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. Failure to submit your response within the stipulated time limit will result in disciplinary action being taken against you,” the letter added.
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