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SSS Seeks Ban On Utomi’s Anti-Tinubu Rallies
The SSS is accusing Mr Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of ADC, of planning to establish “a shadow government” in Nigeria.
The State Security Service filed a fresh application against Pat Utomi on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, over his alleged plans to hold rallies related to the subject of a suit pending against him.
The SSS, in an application filed through its lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, before Justice James Omotosho, requested that the court restrain Mr Utomi and his associates from making further public comments or engaging in rallies in relation to a planned “shadow government” formation.
The SSS had, earlier, dragged Mr Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, before the court over his alleged plan to establish “a shadow government” in Nigeria.
The security agency, in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, prayed the court to declare the move an attack on the constitution, and the judge had fixed June 25 for the hearing.
Meanwhile, the fresh motion filed before the judge was in response to reports that Mr Utomi, reportedly abroad, had planned to engage in protests, road shows, media interviews, and related activities upon his return to the country on June 6.
In the application filed on Wednesday, the SSS sought one relief.
The SSS prayed for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Mr Utomi) and his agents from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures, or any form of public gathering, as well as from publishing in newspapers, producing television programmes, creating jingles, or engaging in any other public enlightenment programme.
The SSS, in its grounds of application, argued that, if not restrained, Mr Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows, and actions would “constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria“.
The security agency stated that it was statutorily empowered to safeguard the country’s internal security and prevent any threats to the country and its constituent institutions, thereby forestalling any threat to public order, safety, and national unity.
The secret police stated that before filing the substantive suit, Mr Utomi, a professor of Political Economy, 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, which he is aware of.
The SSS said it gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Mr Utomi planned “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 secret police alleged that Mr Utomi’s intention “is to stage roadshows 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, and enable riots and violent protests just as the recent” #EndSARS 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 and loss of lives and property.
“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 further told the judge.
The SSS stated that on May 26, during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series hosted by the University of Lagos Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association, Mr Utomi made statements capable of undermining the pending suit.
It added that in the statements, widely publicised in newspapers and on social media platforms, Mr Utomi defended the creation of the purported shadow government and further stated that if the suit succeeded in favour of the SSS, he and his group would adopt a different name.
The agency added that Mr Utomi had been served with the originating process in this suit and had entered an appearance through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, as of 20 May 2025.
“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 stated.
Gazzetengr.com
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
BREAKING: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu To Life Imprisonment
Just In: FG Urges Court To Impose Death Sentence On Nnamdi Kanu
Court Finally Delivers Judgement In Nnamdi Kanu’s Terrorism Case
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