A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has said that a group of concerned Nigerians is mobilising 500 lawyers to defend him in an ongoing case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Utomi disclosed this on Friday via a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“It’s energising that some are working to assemble 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS,” he wrote.

The DSS had filed a suit against Utomi at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of plotting to establish what he allegedly described as a “shadow government”. In its filing dated 13 May, the agency urged the court to declare the initiative a direct assault on the Nigerian Constitution.

The suit, filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akinlolu Kehinde, described Utomi’s action as a deliberate attempt to incite chaos and destabilise the nation. He was named as the sole defendant.

According to the DSS, the proposed shadow cabinet was not only unconstitutional but also a threat to the country’s democratic governance.

Reacting to the development, Utomi expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received nationwide.

“I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets. It reminds me of the Nigeria I used to know. I want to thank all,” he stated.

The idea of a shadow cabinet has drawn mixed reactions. Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, dismissed it as largely symbolic and lacking tangible impact on the country’s challenges.

Speaking on Inside Sources on Channels Television, Sowore remarked: “How do you replace a shadow government with another set of shadowy governments? I would not begrudge anyone trying to raise awareness, but naming individuals to form a shadow cabinet does little to effect real change.”