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Tag: Court

  • Alleged $1bn fraud: Court fixes June 30 for ruling in CBEX operators’ bail request

    Alleged $1bn fraud: Court fixes June 30 for ruling in CBEX operators’ bail request

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled ruling for June 30 in a bail application filed by three detained promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), standing trial for $1billion fraud.

    The three are Adefowora Olanipekun, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

    Justice Emeka Nwite chose the date on Wednesday after lawyers to the prosecution and defence adopted their processes and made final submissions in relation to the bail application.

    Justice Nwite had in an ex-parte ruling on April 24 issued an order for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six operators of CBEX over their alleged involvement in the fraud.

    The EFCC had identified the suspects to include Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

    In compliance with the court’s order, the EFCC arrested Olanipekun, Otorudo and Ehirim and kept them in its custody on investigation, prompting the detainees to apply to the court for bail.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, while opposing the bail application on Wednesday, said all the defendants are being charged for the offence of allegedly obtaining over $1b, more than some states’ budgets in the country.

    Yusuf said the EFCC was still receiving petitions from victims of the alleged fraud.

    The lawyer said though granting bail is at the discretion of the court, this should be done judiciously and judicially.

    The EFCC, in an affidavit, said it received an Intel bothering on an alleged investment scheme fraud against the suspects.

    It alleged that the six suspects and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, using another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) perpetrated the alleged fraud and the case was received and assigned to its Cybercrimes Section for investigation.

    The agency said a preliminary investigation into the Intel revealed the following:

    “That Messrs.Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko and Seyi Oloyede, using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform.”

    The EFCC states that the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100%.

    It added that “the victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stable coin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspect’s crypto wallet.

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    “The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.

    “Following deposits valued at over one billion dollars by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.

    “The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.

    “During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.

    “It was also discovered, during investigation, that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”

  • Court remands three men for alleged defilement of girl,16

    Court remands three men for alleged defilement of girl,16

    An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday ordered the remand of three men at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre over the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl.

    The Lagos State Government arraigned the defendants Owhe Oghenero, Kingsley Oni, and Olorunwa Abina   on a one-count charge of defilement.

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    The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, remanded the defendants and adjourned the case until October 27 for the commencement of trial.

    Earlier, state counsel Ms. Bukola Okeowo told the court that the alleged offence occurred in 2023 at the Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos.

    Okeowo alleged that the defendants had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl, and that the prosecution intends to call five witnesses during the trial.

  • Alleged N5.2b fraud: Court rejects ex-JAMB Registrar’s no-case submission

    Alleged N5.2b fraud: Court rejects ex-JAMB Registrar’s no-case submission

    • Case adjourned till  July 16 for hearing

    The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rejected the no-case submission by Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, former registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in an alleged N5.2 billion fraud charge.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling, held that the elements of the offence listed against Ojerinde had been identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission (ICPC)  witnesses, requiring the defendant to enter a defence.

    The anti-graft agency had filed an 18-count corruption charge against Ojerinde.

    It is alleged that Ojerinde committed multiple frauds while heading the National Examinations Council (NECO) and JAMB.

    He was initially arraigned in July 2021 by the ICPC  before Justice Egwuatu over allegations bordering on abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of funds from government coffers to the tune of N5.2 billion.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    In the proof of evidence tendered before the court by  ICPC’s lawyer, Ebenezer Shogunle, the commission accused him of conferring corrupt advantage upon himself at different times while he was JAMB Registrar and NECO Chief Executive.  

    The ICPC maintained that his actions violated Sections 19, 24, 25 (1) (a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and Section 1 (1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.

    However, Ojerinde, through his counsel, Ibrahim Ishyaku(SAN), in February 2022, opted for a plea bargain.

    But the plea bargain failed, following which the prosecution team, led by Shogunl, moved for the trial to continue.

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    The commission presented witnesses to substantiate its allegations against the defendant, after which his legal team filed a no-case submission, insisting that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against their client.

    They prayed that the court dismiss the charges against Ojerinde.

    The prosecution maintained that the commission had established its case and that the court should order the ex-JAMB boss to enter his defence.

    Justice Egwuatu, in his ruling, held that relevant laws stipulate that a court must determine, among other things, whether there is evidence linking a defendant with an offence.

    The judge observed that, as per the charges against the defendant, seven of the counts bordered on advance fee fraud, while others relate to corrupt practices.

    He highlighted that witnesses had appeared in court to give evidence relating to the charges against the defendant.

    He said, based on the development so far, elements of the offence had been identified by the ICPC witnesses, requiring the defendant to enter a defence.

    “The no-case submission fails and is dismissed,” the judge said.

    Justice Egwuatu, who ordered Ojerinde to enter his defence, adjourned the matter until July 16 for hearing.

  • Court sends Afriq System’s CEO Michael to prison over alleged $854.4m, N590m fraud

    Court sends Afriq System’s CEO Michael to prison over alleged $854.4m, N590m fraud

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, Jesam Michael, be remanded in Kuje correctional centre in Abuja over alleged investment fraud.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on Michael’s bail application, shortly after he was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, advance fee fraud, among others, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Egwuatu refused refused to grant Michael bail in view of the gravity of the alleged offence and the weight of evidence against him.

    The judge noted that, as stated by EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, more petitions were still being received by the anti-graft agency and other security agencies from victims of the crimes allegedly committed by the defendant.

    He noted the claim by the EFCC that there were over 50,000 investors in Michael’s failed investment scheme and that the victims were aggrieved and it would be in his own safety to remain in custody pending the conclusion of the trial.

    The judge ordered accelerated hearing in the case and directed that the defendant be transferred from the custody of the EFCC custody to Kuje prison pending the conclusion of trial.

    The judge, who noted that investment fraud is becoming rampant in the country, adjourned till June 20 for the commencement of trial.

    In the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/134/2025, the EFCC accused Michael and his cryptocurrency trading platform – Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Ltd – of defrauding his customers to the tune of 854,416.36 U.S dollars and N590 million.

    The EFCC alleged that Michael and his firm, between September 2022 and June 2023 in Abuja, while not being a bank or an authorised entity to take deposits, invited the public through advertisements to deposit funds with Afriq Arbitrage System Limited.

    This, according to the commission, is in contravention of Section 44(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and is punishable under the same Act.

    The EFCC also accused Michael and his company of engaging in the specialised business of financial services, including investment management, without a valid license.

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    The defendants were alleged to have between October and December 2024 in Abuja, “converted the cumulative sum of N590 million being part of the funds generated from the sale of properties recovered from Oluwasesan Abayomi, knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The offence, the EFCC said, is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

    They were equally alleged to have, sometime in 2022 in Abuja, with intent to defraud, induced Ladi Musa Audu to deposit the sum of $844,416.36 USDT into the Afriq Arbitrage System investment scheme, under the false representation that the investment was safe and refundable upon request. 

    It said the offence is contrary to Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, among other counts.

  • Appeal court reverses judgment on Lagos community kingship

    Appeal court reverses judgment on Lagos community kingship

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division has granted an order that the Mabudeje Royal Family of Agbowa-Ikosi in Ejirin-Eredo Local Government Development Area (LCDA) is qualified to produce the next king (Abowa) in the community.

    Justice Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor granted the prayers in an appeal filed by the Mabudeje Royal Family against the judgment of the High Court in favour of the Aduloju, which had claimed to be a branch of the Mabudeje Royal Family.

    In an amended writ of summons and statement of claim filed on April 2023, the appellants- Prince Babatunde Adenusi, Chief Jamiu Arole Yinusa, Mr Lateef Shipe and Mr Lateef Adenuga for the Mabudeje Family – sought a declaration that they were entitled to fill the vacant stool of Abowa; and an order compelling the first and fifth defendants to call for their nominee to fill the kingship stool, among others.

    The respondents were the governor, attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, his Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs counterpart; executive secretary, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, High Chief S. O. Odufowora, Aro of Agbowa, Alhaji Bariju Adeleye, Head of Aduloju family); Pa Amusa Bello, Dawodu (Ognjirin family) and Prince Owolabi Saheed Momson.

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    In an amended statement of defence and counter-claim of the seventh defendant/respondent filed earlier on June 17, 2022, he counter-claimed: a declaration that the first to third claimants are members of the Mabudeje Ruling House and so are entitled to the rights and privileges of kingship; a declaration that the selection of the candidate for the next king was inconclusive and a declaration that purported submission of the eighth defendant’s name to the first to the third defendants was illogical, wrongful, inequitable, unjust, invalid, null and void and of no effect.

    The lower court, in its judgment on March 23, 2023, had held that the claimant’s failed, it hence dismissed the claims and counter-claims, and affirmed that it was the turn of the Mabudeje Royal Family to produce the king.

    It also said Monson was duly nominated for the kingship stool in accordance with the law and directed the first and fourth defendants to put the machinery in place for the nomination of the eighth defendant to be crowned.

    However, the appellants, who were dissatisfied with the judgment, through their counsels, Femi Falana (SAN), S. K. Shillings, and Fawaz Odusote, filed a notice of appeal on April 23, 2023, against it – on two raising grounds, to wit: error of facts and misdirection when it stated that Aduloju was NOT a  sub- branch; that Aduloju was claiming to be a branch of the Mabudeje family, among other issued raises by the respondents.

    The appellant formulated two issues: whether the pleadings and evidence before the trial court were properly evaluated and which outcome the sixth, seventh and seventh respondents were entitled to.

    However, the judge subsumed the key issues.Whether the matter was “evaluated by the trial judge “.

    The trial judge held: “Aduloju is not a part of Mabudeje Ruling Family “, a fact, he said, the lower court failed to consider in its evaluation of evidence before the court.

    He also listed other issues that the lower court failed to consider. For example, the non-delivery of the letters calling for the nomination of the appellants; that Mr Lateef Shipe’s witness statement on the matter; that the fourth are not from Aduloju.

    Against the foregoing, he ruled that the appellants should be given the opportunity to produce a candidate for the vacant stool, adding that the parties agreed that it was the turn of the Mabudeje Ruling House to produce a candidate for the vacant stool.

    Justices Mohammed Mustapha and Paul Ahmed  Bassi, who agreed with the appeal no: CA/LG/CV/1104/2023, saying it is meritorious, set aside the lower court judgment of March 2023.

  • Appeal Court upholds Lagos family’s claims to kingship stool

    Appeal Court upholds Lagos family’s claims to kingship stool

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos, has affirmed the entitlement of the Mabudeje Royal Family, led by Prince Babatunde Adenusi and others, as the rightful claimants to the Agbowa-Ikosi throne in Ikorodu.

    By its ruling, the Appellate Court set aside the judgement of the High Court of Lagos State, noting that the trial court failed to properly evaluate the evidence before it and wrongly accepted the nomination of Prince (Barr.) Owolabi Saheed Momson, joined as the 8th Defendant, as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.

    Delivering the lead judgment in Appeal CA/LAG/CV/1104/2023 on May 30, Justice Ngozika Okaisabor, found that the claimants-representing the Mabudeje Royal Family- were members of the ruling house entitled to nominate a candidate for the vacant stool, contrary to the decision of the lower court.

    The High Court had, on March 23, 2023, dismissed the claimants’ suit, declared that the stool was properly filled, and held that Prince Momson had been “duly and validly nominated and selected as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi in the Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA of Lagos State in line with the dictates of the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration and in accordance with the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    However, the Court of Appeal disagreed, pointing out that a 2007 meeting of the Oba-in-Council, admitted as Exhibit P9, showed that representatives of the Aduloju family, particularly Alhaji Bariyu Adeleye (6th Respondent), openly denied any connection to the Mabudeje family.

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    Quoting from the meeting minutes, Justice Okaisabor stated: “The 6th Respondent in the said Exhibit P9 denied being members of Mabudeje family and further stated that there is no one in their families that bear such a name.”

    The appellate court emphasised that the evidence of the claimants was more cogent and consistent than that of the respondents. It faulted the lower court for relying on the nomination process facilitated by the Aduloju family, which had already disclaimed the Mabudeje lineage.

    The court further found that no valid invitation was extended to the claimants by the appropriate authorities to nominate a candidate, contrary to the assertions relied upon by the trial judge.

    “The said evidence of Appellants’ PW1… is that the 4th respondent did not write to them but wrote to the Adulojus as Mabudeje family, whereas Adulojus is not Mabudeje family,” the judgment stated.

    Granting the reliefs sought by the claimants, the Appellate Court declared that they were entitled to the immediate right to fill the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.

    The court compelled the first to fifth defendants to call for the claimants’ nominee for the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi, adding that the said nominee should be installed as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.

    The judgment was unanimously endorsed by Justices Mohammed Mustapha and Paul Ahmed Bassi, who aligned themselves with the lead judgment.

  • Court convicts nine Chinese nationals for financial terrorism

    Court convicts nine Chinese nationals for financial terrorism

    Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday sentenced nine Chinese nationals  including two females to one year imprisonment each and a fine of N1 million for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

    The defendants are, Zhao Xiang Hui, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Gang,Du JI Geng Li Dong,Huang Bo,Xhiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng and  Deng Wei Qiang.

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    The Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC, had in December last year burst into a sixth floor building located in Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos where over 700 people were arrested for offences bordering on  cyber terrorism and economic sabotage.

    When the matter came up for trial,  EFCC’s counsel Mr Nnemeka Omewa informed the court that the defendants have opted for plea bargain arrangements which the commission has found worthy.

    Defence counsel Mr Folarin Damela also confirmed the  EFCC’s  position and urged the court to accept the plea bargain.

    Consequently the charge was read and all the defendants pleaded guilty to the same. The defendants also admitted that they freely consented to and signed the plea bargain agreement.

  • Court convicts nine Chinese nationals for financial terrorism

    Court convicts nine Chinese nationals for financial terrorism

    Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday sentenced nine Chinese nationals including two females to one year imprisonment each and a fine of one million naira for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

    The defendants are; Zhao Xiang Hui, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Gang,Du JI Geng Li Dong,Huang Bo,Xhiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng and Deng Wei Qiang 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on the 10th of December, 2024 bust into a sixth floor building located in Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos where over 700 people were arrested for offences bothering on Cyber terrorism and economic sabotage.

    When the matter came up for trial today EFCC’s counsel Mr Nnemeka Omewa informed the court that the defendants have opted for plea bargain arrangements which the Commission has found worthy.

    Defence counsel Mr Folarin Damela also confirmed the EFCC position and urged the court to accept the plea bargain.

    Consequently the charge was read and all the defendants pleaded guilty to same. The defendants also admitted that they freely consented to and signed the plea bargain agreement.

    Following the guilty plea of the defendants, the prosecutor Nnemeka Omewa asked the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the plea bargain agreement .

    In the absence of any objection to the prosecutor’s request, Justice Daniel Osiagor convicted and sentenced the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement. 

    According to justice Osiagor, the defendants are sentenced to one year imprisonment each, commencing from the 10th of December, 2024 with the payment of one million Naira.

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    The court also ordered that upon the completion of the prison term, the Nigerian Immigration Service shall repatriate the convicts to their country of origin.

    Justice Daniel Osiagor also ordered that all the items found on the convicts including furnitures, computer gadgets laptops should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    The one counts amended charge against the defendants reads, “That sometimes in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the convicts willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when they procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantages for themselves and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As amended 2024) and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevenion, Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

  • Federal High Court begins annual vacation July 28

    Federal High Court begins annual vacation July 28

    Normal court activities will dwindle from July 28 when all Federal High Court divisions across the country are expected to proceed on the court’s annual vacation.

    The court’s spokesperson, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, who announced this in two statements on Thursday, also disclosed the death of Federal High Court’s former Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Dantsoho Abutu on June 3 at about 79 years old, having been born on March 15, 1946

    The first statement reads: “By virtue of the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, KSS, FCIArb. (UK) in an official circular, announced the 2025 annual vacation and roster for vacation judges.

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    “The vacation will commence from Monday, the 28th day of July 2025, to Tuesday, the 16th day of September, 2025. The court shall resume sitting on Wednesday, the 17th day of September, 2025.

    “During the vacation period, the core divisions – Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt judicial fivisions will remain functional for cases of extreme urgency.

    “Consequently, the litigating public will be at liberty to approach only the above listed Courts located nearest to them.

    “The vacation judges are: Abuja – Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice M. S. Liman; Lagos – Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu and Justice Musa Kakaki; Port- Harcourt – Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed.

    “The Chief Judge wishes his fellow lordships a pleasant vacation in advance.”

    The second statement reads: “

    The Federal High Court of Nigeria announces with deep sorrow, the passing of her esteemed former Chief Judge, the Hon. Justice Daniel Dantsoho Abutu. 

    “According to family sources, he died on 3rd June, 2025 after a brief illness. He hailed from Kogi State and was born on 15th March, 1946.

    “The late Chief Judge served the court and the nation with distinction. He was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and administrative excellence. 

    “His leadership and contributions have left  indelible marks on the Judiciary and the legal community at large.

    “The Federal High Court extends her heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and all who were touched by his exemplary life and service.

    “Further announcements would be made available in due course. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

  • UPDATED: Court urged to restrain Utomi, associates from engaging in rallies, others over shadow govt

    UPDATED: Court urged to restrain Utomi, associates from engaging in rallies, others over shadow govt

    …SSS not interested in arresting anyone over issue in court – lawyer

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to restrain the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Patrick Okedinachi Utomi (also known as Prof. Pat Utomi) from further making public comments or engaging in rallies in relation to the subject of a suit pending against him over his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.

    The request is contained in a fresh application filed before the court on Wednesday by the State Security Service (SSS) following reports that Utomi, who is said to be currently abroad, has planned to engage in protests, road shows, media interviews and related activities upon his return to the country on June 6.

    This is just as a lawyer to the SSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), explained that the current leadership of the security agency chose to approach the court as than resort to arresting anyone over issues already submitted to the court in the pending suit.

    The new application seeks mainly, “an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programs, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme (s) aimed at sensitizing, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported “shadow government/shadow cabinet” or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said “shadow government” pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit.”

    The grounds for the application include that, if not restrained, Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows and actions “constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The SSS added that as the agency statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of the country and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions, it was incumbent on it to forestall any threat to public order, safety and national unity.

    It stated that before it filed the substantive suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 Utomi had, through public statements, social media and other platforms, engaged in statements and actions aimed at undermining the outcome of the case now pending before the court, and which he is aware of.

    The SSS said it gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Utomi, who is currently out of the country and is due to return on June 6 plans “to stage road shows and rallies under the guise of freedom of speech and association in a bid to cause public discontent in furtherance of his establishment of the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet.’

    The plaintiff added, in a supporting affidavit, that Utomi’s intention “is to stage road shows and rallies that are capable of drawing a large number of Nigerians with intent that will cause huge disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, enable riots and violent protests just as the recent “End SARS” protests in 2020.

    “All the planned protests, riots and agitations that will ensue, if the purported actions of the defendant/respondent are not stayed, may lead to mayhem with a potential for anarchy, loss of lives and property.

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    “The proposed allies, road shows and actions of the Defendant/Respondent constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The SSS stated that on May 26, during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, themed “Shadow Government: A Distraction or Necessity”, hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association, Utomi made statements, capable of undermining the pending suit.

    It added that the statements, widely publicised by various national newspapers and on social media platforms, Utomi defended the creation of the purported shadow government and further stated that if the suit succeeds in favour of the SSS, he and his group shall adopt a different name.

    The SSS added that Utomi “has been served with the originating process in this suit and has entered appearance vide his Counsel Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) since 20 May, 2025.

    “The defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the pendency of this action before this Honourable Court as he has been served with the originating process in this suit by courier as ordered by this Honourable Court.

    “Unless this honourable court intervenes by granting this application, the defendant/respondent’s acts may foist a fait accompli on the court.

    “It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to grant this application,” the SSS said.

    Speaking shortly after filing the fresh application, the SSS’ lawyer, Kehinde, explained the rationale behind his client’s decision to approach the court.

    Kehinde added: “Our client is not interested in arresting anybody in respect of this matter, having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the honourable court to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘Shadow government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named.

    “It must be pointed out that our client under its current leadership is a very civilized organization with absolute confidence in the rule of law and that is why, it or any of its personnel will always approach the court of law whenever it feels that there is any infraction on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel. Let the court have the final say.

    “Gentlemen, we must all ensure that constitutional democracy and the rule of law have its way in Nigeria,” Kehinde said.

    The lawyer explained that the SSS’ application, filed on Wednesday, is for an interlocutory injunction against the defendant and his group pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    He added, “The application, being a public document, can be obtained from the registry of the honourable court.

    “It is good that, as members of the 4th estate of the realm, you are keeping watch over the case filed against the formation of the ‘Shadow Government’ by Prof. Pat Utomi and his group.

    “The civil suit, as you are aware, was filed by the State Security Service (SSS) in consonance with its statutory mandate of ensuring internal peace and avoidance of any form of insurrection and treasonable felony against the democratically elected government in the country.

    “This fresh application is premised on the fact that despite the pendency of the substantive action, the service of same on the defendant and the entry of appearance to same by his Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the defendant has continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos in the country instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilized parties before the court are expected to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.

    “What our client has submitted to the court is for the interpretation of the Constitution, whether any form of government by whatever nomenclature can be formed or allowed outside the Constitution,” Kehinde said.