Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, said on Friday that Nigerians are mobilising 500 lawyers to defend him against a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Utomi shared the information in a post on X, stating, “It’s energising (that) some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.”

The DSS had filed the lawsuit against Utomi at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of attempting to establish what he calls a “shadow government” in Nigeria.

The agency described the move as a threat to the Constitution and the current democratically elected government.

The suit, filed on May 13 by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, called for the court to declare the alleged shadow government plan unconstitutional.

In response, Utomi expressed appreciation for the support he has received from Nigerians nationwide.

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

The idea of a shadow cabinet has attracted mixed reactions. Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore described it as largely symbolic and ineffective.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Inside Sources programme, Sowore said, “Well, how do you replace a shadow government with another set of shadowy governments?

“I would not begrudge anybody who thinks of solutions that can bring awareness to the people. But I do not think that setting up a government with names of people who call themselves a shadow government makes any difference.”