The Department of State Services has dragged a former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over his recently formation of a shadow government.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS named Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, as the sole defendant, accusing him of attempting to unlawfully usurp the executive powers of President Bola Tinubu.

Utomi had recently unveiled a 39-man shadow government, saying it was necessitated by the alleged poor handling of governance by President Tinubu-led Federal Government.

While the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress condemned the move, Utomi insisted that he acted within his constitutional right.

However, in a suit filed through its lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the DSS described Utomi’s shadow government illegal and an attempt to instigate public disaffection against President Tinubu.

According to the DSS, Utomi’s shadow government or cabinet, being amounts to operating as an alternative government, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The DSS contends that Utomi, through public statements, social media, and other platforms, announced the creation of the shadow government to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the DSS, during the inauguration of the ‘shadow cabinet’, Utomi reportedly stated that it includes the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be led by Dele Farotimi; a Policy Delivery Unit team comprising Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga; as well as a Council of Economic Advisers.

The DSS stated: “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 added that the shadow government, if left unchecked, could destabilise the country, incite political unrest, and threaten national security by creating chaos.

The agency claimed that such a structure could stoke inter-group tensions and embolden unlawful actors or separatist movements to form similar parallel arrangements, posing a significant 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(2)(a) 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,” the DSS submitted.

The service further described Utomi’s shadow government as not only an aberration but also a grave attack on the Nigerian Constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government.

Among its requests, the DSS asked the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” as unconstitutional, arguing that it constitutes an attempt to establish a parallel authority not recognized by the 1999 Constitution.

The DSS also prayed the court to affirm that, under sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the constitution, the creation or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside constitutional provisions is unconstitutional, null, and void.

Additionally, it 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.”

In support of its suit, the DSS highlighted Section 1(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which establishes the Constitution’s supremacy and binding authority over all persons and institutions in Nigeria.

It also cited Section 1(2), which prohibits governance outside constitutional provisions, and Section 14(2)(a), which affirms that sovereignty belongs to the people.

The agency argued that Utomi’s initiative lacks any legal legitimacy and violates multiple constitutional provisions.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, the DSS identified itself as Nigeria’s principal domestic intelligence and security agency, statutorily mandated to detect and prevent internal security threats, including subversive activities that could undermine national unity and order.

It stressed its duty to safeguard the nation by preventing threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its institutions.

The DSS reiterated that Utomi had publicly announced the formation of a shadow government comprising individuals assigned to various ministerial roles.

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

There is tension in parts of Ogun and Lagos states over rumours that there is deadly rice in circulation.

Parents and relatives send voice messages to their loved ones, warning them against buying or consuming rice at this time because a foreign trader had invoked the spirit of Ogun deity after her two trucks of rice were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria.

In various voice notes forwarded to our correspondent, the speakers maintained that two trucks of rice were stolen from a neighbouring country and were later smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko border and the Seme border.

It was stated that the owner of the bags of rice, a woman, contacted some Ogun worshipers in Ghana to lay curses on whoever buys or consumes the alleged stolen rice.

In a voice note, it was rumoured that some Customs officers and a soldier had died in Badagry, Lagos State.

It was also alleged by another sender on WhatsApp that over 70 persons had died in the past few days after buying or consuming the said rice.

Imported rice from the Benin Republic remains one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, especially by children and the youth.

As the warnings keep getting to people in Ogun and Lagos, they pass the same to their loved ones, emphasising to them that rice must not be consumed or bought at this time.

A resident in the Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State, Morayo, told our correspondent on Wednesday that some parents went to schools, telling the food vendors not to sell rice to their children.

As some individuals tried to debunk the rumour, more voice notes came from different people, claiming their alleged confirmation of the deaths.

This has left many confused as to whether to buy rice or not.

However, the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos and Ogun debunked the claims, saying there was no deadly rice in circulation.

In a statement by the NCS, Seme Area Command, Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, said the narrative was entirely false, misleading, and did not reflect the reality of the matter.

“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area command, has been drawn to a widely circulated unfounded and baseless allegation claiming that the Command seized and distributed bags of rice without the knowledge of the purported owner, who then allegedly invoked traditional powers leading to the death of individuals, including a soldier at Badagry.

“The command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter,” the statement said.

It disclosed that the command had always adhered to NCS Standard Operating Procedures for disposing of seized goods, which is guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines.

“It is instructive to say that no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility or among personnel corroborates the false claims of deaths resulting from rice consumption linked to the NCS.

“Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism (a credible profession) to disinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of the social responsibility they are supposed to uphold,” the command added.

The NCS urged the general public to disregard this “unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or tarnish the image of the security agencies working tirelessly to safeguard the nation.”

Our correspondent learnt that rumour has spread to Abeokuta, Ibadan, and other states, creating fears among rice consumers.

The World Bank has revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has only been remitting 50 per cent of revenue gains from the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit subsidy to the Federation Account.

This disclosure is contained in the latest World Bank Nigeria Development Update, which highlights concerns over fiscal transparency and revenue management following the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector.

It said out of the N1.1tn revenue from crude sales and other income in 2024, the NNPCL only remitted N600bn, leaving a deficit of N500bn unaccounted for.

The biannual report, titled “Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth,” said the national oil company used the remaining amount to settle its debt arrears.

In 2023, President Bola Tinubu received commendation from international financial agencies after he announced the removal of controversial petrol subsidies, a move that tripled petrol prices overnight but was projected to save the government billions of dollars annually.

The decision, part of broader economic reforms, was expected to free up funds for critical infrastructure and social programs.

But the plan was scuttled after backlash from Nigerians, as prices of household commodities more than tripled. The government only allowed full deregulation in October 2024, after the commencement of the Dangote refinery.

Despite the official removal, the World Bank report revealed that the NNPCL delayed the transfer of the associated revenue windfall, only commencing remittances to the Federation Account three months later, in January 2025.

It said the national oil firm has since been remitting just half of the proceeds, with the remainder reportedly used to offset legacy arrears.

The World Bank noted that the Federal Government’s revenues for 2025 are anticipated to be 70 per cent from oil and 30 per cent from non-oil sources, assuming full remittance of the fiscal savings from PMS subsidy removal.

“The fiscal outlook remains cautiously optimistic but hinges on the necessary consolidation of recent advances. First, it is essential to ensure that the full revenue gains from the removal of the PMS subsidy—estimated at 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2024—are transferred to the Federation.

“Despite the subsidy being fully removed in October 2024, NNPCL started transferring the revenue gains to the Federation only in January 2025. Since then, it has been remitting only 50 per cent of these gains, using the rest to offset past arrears,” the World Bank stated.

A further breakdown showed that NNPCL was the only laggard, remitting just N0.6tn to FAAC in 2024, down from N1.1tn in 2023.

The World Bank attributed this drop to the implicit subsidy regime that persisted until the third quarter of 2024.

It explained, “Gross FAAC revenues surged in 2024, but a large share was deducted and remitted back as revenues to states and local governments.

“Gross revenues collected by Nigeria’s main revenue agencies surged in 2024, despite minimal remittances from NNPCL. FAAC data show that gross revenues collected by the main revenue agencies (FIRS, NCS, NNPCL, and NUPRC) rose significantly from N16.5tn (7 per cent of GDP) in 2023 to N29.5tn (10.6 per cent of GDP) in 2024.

“The largest revenue increases came from FX-denominated sources that benefited from the removal of the FX subsidy, including oil revenues (royalties, taxes, signature bonuses), customs revenues, and the foreign trade-related component of VAT.”

While other FX-denominated revenue sources, such as oil royalties, taxes, and customs duties, recorded significant increases, the report noted that NNPCL remained the major laggard in remitting revenues to the Federation Account Allocation Committee.

“However, NNPCL was the only laggard, remitting just N0.6tn to FAAC in 2024, down from N1.1tn in 2023, largely due to the implicit PMS subsidy, which remained in place until the end of September 2024. Although the subsidy was fully removed on October 1, 2024, NNPCL did not start transferring the resulting revenue gains to the Federation until January 2025. From that point, it began remitting 50 per cent, with the other half being used to settle past arrears.

“As of February 2025, the bank noted that NNPCL’s claimed arrears stood at N7.8tn, while the Federation’s claims totalled N6.1tn, leaving net arrears of N1.7tn still owed to the national oil company.

“In spite of a sharp rise in gross revenues by the country’s main revenue-generating agencies from N16.5tn in 2023 to N29.5tn in 2024, NNPCL’s remittance fell to N600bn in 2024, down from N1.1tn in the previous year.”

To enhance fiscal discipline, the World Bank recommended a forensic audit of NNPCL’s finances and the adoption of standardised reporting templates to FAAC.

It also called for improved transparency in oil revenue accounting and stronger public financial management systems.

The Bretton Woods institution warned that unless full subsidy gains are channelled into the Federation Account, Nigeria’s fiscal consolidation efforts may be undermined, limiting the government’s ability to invest in infrastructure and social development.

The report stressed that resolving net arrears and ensuring full remittance of subsidy savings are critical for maintaining fiscal stability.

It stated, “The fiscal outlook remains cautiously optimistic but hinges on the necessary consolidation of recent advances.”

“It is essential to ensure that the full revenue gains from the removal of the PMS subsidy—estimated at 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2024—are transferred to the Federation.”

“Resolving any remaining net arrears and channelling the full benefits of subsidy reform to the Federation is critical for sound fiscal management.

“Improve public finance management. Revenues are still low, constraining development spending. Ensure that revenue gains from the removal of the PMS subsidy flow to the Federation.

“The bank also advised to improve transparency in accounting for oil revenues by conducting a forensic audit of NNPCL, and adopting standardised reporting to FAAC.”