The Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that it is not planning to arrest anyone following recent talks about forming a shadow government.
This comes after former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Pat Utomi, publicly supported the creation of such a structure.
On Wednesday, the DSS filed a new application before the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking for an order to prevent Utomi from making further comments or organizing public events linked to the shadow government idea.
The agency is asking the court to decide whether such a government is legal under the Nigerian Constitution.
The DSS, through its lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), said the agency chose to take the legal route instead of making arrests.
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Kehinde explained that the DSS respects the law and is committed to peaceful solutions when it believes its duties or the rights of its officers are being affected.
According to him, although Utomi’s legal team has already responded to the suit, the DSS believes Utomi has continued to speak publicly in ways that could cause unrest.
Because of this, they filed a request for an injunction to stop him and his group from hosting rallies, lectures, or any media campaigns that promote the idea of a shadow government until the court makes a final ruling.
The security agency said it is not against public discussion, but wants to ensure peace and stability as the matter is being handled in court.
The DSS said any group or system not backed by the constitution should not be allowed to grow, especially if it threatens the country’s democracy.
The court is now expected to consider whether the shadow government proposal violates the constitution or not.
Meanwhile, the DSS wants all activities related to the idea to stop, at least while the case is ongoing.
