DSS say they are civil and will continue to uphold the rule of law, as they urge the Court to restrain Utomi, associates from engaging in rallies
The Department of State Service, has stated that it has confidence in the rule of law and as a civilised organization, it will ensure its approaches to the court whenever there are infractions on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel.
The DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, noted this as they approached the federal high court Abuja for an order to restrain a former presidential candidate, of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the 2007 presidential election, Patrick Utomi, from further making public comments or engaging in rallies about the subject of a suit pending against him over his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.
According to him, the service gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Utomi, who is currently abroad and is due to return on June 6 and 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.’
MUST READ: DSS, Military Dislodge Bandits, Kill 45 In Niger State
He stated that the agency, 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.
The trial court had before now granted an ex-parte motion filed by the DSS, for an order allowing service of court documents on Utomi, listed as the sole defendant, in his Lagos address by means of courier service.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)