A Federal High Court in Abuja has invited legal experts from across the six geopolitical zones for their opinion on the suit challenging the proposed shadow government.
Justice James Omotosho, who announced the list on Wednesday, also directed parties not to take any action that would undermine the suit before the court.
The DSS brought the suit seeking constitutional interpretation of the shadow government proposed by Prof Pat Utomi-led Big Tent Movement.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Justice Omotosho informed the parties that after reviewing the originating process filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) and Utomi’s counter affidavit, the court would seek the opinion of at least six eminent experts in the legal profession from the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“And I have invited amicus curiae (friends of the court) from each political zone to represent each zone because this issue has national interest, that is, national outlook as regards the nature of the suit,” he said.
The list includes a professor of International Law and Jurisprudence at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Prof Ademola Popoola; Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze; Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN; Joe Gadzama, SAN; Prof. Dakas Dakas, SAN; former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jos in Plateau; Mrs Miannaya Essien, SAN; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.
Earlier, DSS’s lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction that was filed on June 4 to restrain Utomi from staging any rally.
He pleaded with the court to take the application to prevent any action, such as protests, rallies, broadcasts, that would undermine the suit before the court.
Consequently, the judge directed that no party should take any action that would render the suit before the court nugatory.
In a preliminary objection, counsel to Utomi, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.
In the suit with number: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 filed on May 13, the DSS is contending that sections 1(1) and 1(2) and 14(2) (a) of the Constitution, upholds the supremacy of the constitution and that the sovereignty of the people and every governmental authority would be by the law.
The suit seeks “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.”
Although Utomi was listed as the sole defendant, the proposed shadow government comprises members of the Good Governance portfolio, including Dele Farotimi, Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga; and the council of economic advisers.
The suit has been adjourned to July 10 for hearing.
