SAN Debo Adamson Backs DSS Lawsuit, Challenges Legitimacy of Utomi’s Shadow Government
Professor Pat Utomi, former African Democratic Party presidential candidate in 2007, has criticized a lawsuit reportedly filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against his Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, calling it an “act of cowardice.” Speaking on a News Program, Utomi defended the coalition’s mission to propose alternative governance solutions and hold Nigeria’s government accountable, describing the country as a “failed state” plagued by corruption and poor leadership.
The lawsuit has sparked a heated legal and political debate. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Debo Adamson argued that the DSS is justified in seeking judicial clarity on the shadow government’s legitimacy, questioning under which law Utomi’s coalition operates. Adamson highlighted that while freedom of expression and assembly are protected by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, these rights are not unlimited—pointing to the constitutional mandate that Nigeria be governed only by democratically elected officials.
Utomi countered that citizens have a constitutional right to criticize the government and offer policy alternatives. He called the DSS’s action an attempt to suppress free speech and urged the agency to instead focus on politicians who defect from their elected parties, which he says violates the constitution and should result in loss of their seats.
CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BELOW AFTER THESE IMPORTANT NOTICES
Log in to primsol.lawpavilion.com and store.lawpavilion.com to enjoy the best E-journals, textbooks, and many more. For further enquiries/assistance, send an email to customercare@lawpavilion.com or call 08050298729
Adamson, however, warned that allowing groups like Utomi’s coalition to operate unchecked could encourage destabilizing movements, referencing separatist groups such as MASSOB and IPOB. He praised the DSS’s approach in seeking judicial interpretation rather than criminal prosecution, emphasizing the need to nip potential threats to democratic governance “in the bud.”
Meanwhile, Utomi’s supporters have rallied nearly 500 lawyers to defend him—a number Adamson humorously questioned as practical in a courtroom setting.
The clash between Utomi and the DSS highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s democracy over the limits of political dissent and the role of shadow governance initiatives.
FOR SUPPORT TO BARRISTERNG BLOG, DONATE TO: 1. NAIRA ACCOUNT: 1023046978 - UBA 2. USD ACCOUNT: 5090743566 - FIDELITY BANK PLC
Call Bridget Edokwe Esq on 08060798767 or send your articles to barristerngblog@gmail.com
A Must-Have for Every Lawyer: Order Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye’s Latest Books on Electronic Evidence Today: To order your copies, click the link below and order directly from the author:
https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/
SHOP NOW
The Price is 10k for Hard Copy less freight and 5k for E- Book copy in the Store of the Website. https://buokorie.com/store/ To access the hard copy, Call - 07087622283
