DSS Asks Court To Restrain Utomi From Shadow Govt Activities

The Federal High Court Abuja has been urged by the Department of State Services (DSS) to stop Prof. Patrick Utomi from making any public statements or attending rallies relating to his alleged plan to establish a shadow government in the nation.

Following reports that Utomi, who is reportedly currently abroad, has planned protests, road shows, media interviews, and related activities after his return to the country on June 6, 2025, the organization filed a new application for the same title.

The defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, workers, or any other person acting through him from holding rallies, public lectures, public lectures, press releases, television programs, jingles, or any other public enlightenment program(s) intended to sensibilize, instigate, spread, or in any way promote the alleged” shadow government/shadow cabinet “or its objectives or goals with the view of establishing the said” shadow government “pending the hearing and determination of

DSS operatives’ photos in a file

According to the DSS legal team, which is led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the application’s grounds include that Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows, and actions “would seriously threaten public order, safety, and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

CBEX: EFCC Declares Two More Suspects Wanted

It was the DSS’s responsibility to avert any threat to public order, safety, or national unity because it is legally obligated to safeguard the nation’s internal security and to prevent any threats to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitutional authority and its constituent institutions.

It stated that Utomi had made statements and actions to undermine the outcome of the case that was pending before the court and that he is aware of before the court filed the substantive suit.

Turji
A court gavel

According to the DSS, Utomi, who is currently abroad and is scheduled to return on June 6 plans to stage road shows and rallies in a bid to stir up public discontent in order to fund his alleged “shadow government/shadow cabinet,” according to monitoring and intelligence reports.

The DSS further states in an accompanying affidavit that Utomi’s intention is to organize road shows and rallies that can elicit a sizable turnout of Nigerians, causing major upheaval to the public order, facilitating riots and violent protests, as well as the recent “End SARS” protests in 2020.

If the defendant/respondent’s alleged actions are not stayed, they could lead to mayhem with the potential for anarchy, loss of lives, and property, according to the statement.

The Defendant/Respondent’s actions and proposed allies pose a serious threat to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s public safety, public order, and national unity.

Utomi made statements that could undermine the pending lawsuit on May 26 during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, which was held by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association.

Utomi defended the establishment of the purported shadow government in the statements, which were widely published in newspapers and on social media platforms. In addition, they stated that if the lawsuit succeeds in favor of the DSS, he and his group will adopt a different name.

Utomi has been in person with his Counsel Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) since May 20, 2025, according to the SSS, and has been served with the originating procedure in this case.

“Due to the fact that the defendant/respondent (Utomi) has been served with the originating process in this suit by courier as required by this honorable court, the defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the proceeding of this action before this Honorable Court.”

The defendant/respondent’s actions may result in a fait accomplice in the court unless this honorable court intervenes and grants this application.

CBEX: EFCC Declares Two More Suspects Wanted

   

In connection with an alleged cryptocurrency fraud scheme linked to the collapsed digital trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested the release of two additional individuals.

Folashade Odelana, 31, and Bamidele Ayodele Abiodun, 32, were named in a notice released on Wednesday via the anti-graft organization’s official social media channels.

Both individuals were charged with conspiring to carry out fraudulent trading on the platform, which allegedly caused significant financial losses for unsuspecting investors.

The duo’s last known address is No. 1, according to the EFCC. Allen, Ikeja, Lagos State’s No. 17, Oremeta Street,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is hereby notified that the individuals whose photos appear below are wanted for allegedly engaging in fraud on an online trading platform known as Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), according to the statement.

We Warned Nigerians Against Ponzi Schemes – EFCC, [N1.3Trn CBEX Probe] READ ALSO:

AREAS ARE NEEDED! pic. twitter.com/AxOCk8sgHl

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 4, 2025

The commission urged people to contact its offices in Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja with reliable information about the suspects’ whereabouts. Contact can also be made via its official helplines, email at [email protected], or by calling the police station or security agency that is closest.

The most recent development brings the total number of wanted individuals to 12 in connection with the CBEX fraud.

When CBEX users realized they were unavoidably unable to access or withdraw their investments from the platform in April 2025, panic began to spread. More than 1.3 trillion were lost as a result of the incident, which reportedly affected over 600,000 Nigerians, according to victim estimates.

Numerous investors demanded quick restitution and justice because of the magnitude of the collapse.

In connection with the same case, the EFCC had previously declared eight individuals wanted.

Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Seyi Oloyede, Johnson Okiroh Otieno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Michiro Kabera, and Serah Michiro are just a few of the people who signed this petition.

Olanipekun, Oluwanisola, Uko, Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim are the six suspects currently facing arrest warrants.

Africa’s Progress Will Depend On Youth Investment – Bill Gates

According to Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and the chairman of the Gates Foundation, Africa’s future will be determined by the investments it makes in its young population.

Gates made the point that Africa’s young population has a unique advantage, but only if the necessary investments are made in health and education, as he did as a panelist at the Gate Foundation’s Goalkeepers event on Wednesday.

“Africa is a very young continent, which is amazing, and I constantly show people this slide.” Over half of African children will be born in the next half of the century. By far, the city (Lagos) in which we are currently located will be the largest city in the world. That will be intriguing and will maintain interest,” he said.

“Africa will remain the most fascinating continent in the coming century because of this incredible offset of its youth,” says the author. In what ways will the investments we make in their health and education over the next 20 years affect how much that youth can actually contribute to progress. There is an incredible future here if we give that priority.

Youths attending the Lagos-based Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event. Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

READ ALSO: Bill Gates Spent $100 Billion On Healthcare In 25 Years Strengthened Partnerships In Nigeria, Other Countries

Gates responded affirmatively, citing local success stories, when asked whether he was still confident that Africa and Africans could still accomplish major health goals.

“Well, certainly Gombe State is an example of how the government of Africa is really focusing on the performance of the workforce and being willing to emphasize not just health but also primary health care, even in very tight budget conditions (which is true throughout Africa). And we quickly observe that when that is accomplished, nutrition rates rise, maternal deaths fall, and childhood deaths fall,” he said.

AI is “transforming healthcare.”

Gates also made a note of how innovation and technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), have altered the way healthcare is delivered across the continent.

“AI is progressing,” according to entrepreneurs in Africa, who are creating AI specifically to meet African needs. AI is improving at the global level.

If you combine the development of Africa’s riches, the rise of more philanthropists, the restoration of generosity in wealthy nations, and the sharing of best practices and innovations. Even for things like sickle cell disease, which we need to treat, we have some incredible tools available. It is a dramatic burden.

The co-founder of Microsoft praised Nigeria for its strong local partnerships and expressed hope that the world’s current five million child mortality rate could be reduced from 5 million cases annually.

We’ve had incredible partners in Nigeria who are aware of delivery and how to support government initiatives. In the end, the government bears the costs. We’re here to make those systems faster.

“The African nations will experience real economic momentum over the next 20 years.” It will be a huge help to them in understanding that, simplifying delivery, and lowering costs. For instance, the rates of childhood death, for example, have been significantly higher than I had anticipated. There is a lot to be proud of, but there is even more work to be done, according to Gates.

Foundation for Bill & Melinda Gates

Gates also made a note of the foundation’s recent 25-year work in Africa.

He disclosed that the Gates Foundation has spent $100 billion on global health since 2000, with the majority of it going to Africa.

“When we first started the Foundation in 2000, we firmly believed that all people have equal value. He said that one of our main concerns was reducing infant mortality globally, particularly in Africa.

“So I looked and said, “Are people seriously taking this?” Do they offer cheaper alternatives to traditional treatments, such as buying new malaria tools, or tailoring them to local needs? And no, it was not. That served as the Gates Foundation’s guiding principle.

The Goalkeepers event, hosted by the Foundation for Bill & Melinda Gates for the first time in Lagos, brought together global leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to assess progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Aliko Dangote, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Gombe State, and other dignitaries were among the other notable attendees.

JUST IN: Ondo Poll: Tribunal Upholds Aiyedatiwa’s Election, Dismisses PDP, SDP Petitions

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s election was upheld by the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which is located in Akure, despite numerous petitions challenging his victory in the November 16, 2024, polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, won the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) petition in a judgment delivered on Wednesday that lasted for more than eight hours.

In his petition, the PDP candidate alleged widespread irregularities and demanded that the election results be canceled.

Similar petitions filed by other political parties, including those filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and African Alliance (AA), were rejected by the tribunal.

Read more about Aiyedatiwa winning the election for governor of Ontario by a landslide.

After winning in all 18 local government areas of the state, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who ran on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the election day.

He defeated his most vocal opponents, including PDP candidate Ajayi, with a total of 366 and 781 votes.

Rivers State Administrator Appoints 11 New Permanent Secretaries

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of 11 new Permanent Secretaries.

The Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Inyingi Brown, releases a statement about the appointment.

The official swearing-in ceremony date will be announced in due course, according to the statement.

The appointees were listed as follows in the statement:

  1. Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George
  2. Dr. Mina T. Ikuru
  3. Dabite Sokari George
  4. sbitein Harry Duke
  5. Lauretta Davies Dimkpa
  6. Uche R. Ideozu
  7. Chimenum Mpi
  8. Jeremiah Egwu
  9. Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma
  10. Vera Sam Dike
  11. Aleruchi Akani

 Gwandu Emirate Dispute: Supreme Court Affirms Ilyasu-Bashir as Emir

The Gwandu Emirate’s long-standing dispute has been resolved by the Supreme Court, which confirms Alhaji Muhammad Bashir as the substantive Emir of Gwandu.

The apex court decided in a three-to-two split decision that Al- Mustapha Jokolo, the deposed Emir of Gwandu, did not file the lawsuit following the law’s strictest procedures.

The deposed emir’s failure to issue a pre-action notice to the Kebbi State governor was a crucial step in the prosecution’s case.

The trial court was denied the suit’s legal authority by the court, which the court also ruled was due to this procedural lapse.

READ ALSO:  Appeals Court Upholds Reinstatement Of Gwandu’s Deposed Emir.

In consequence, both the trial court’s and the Court of Appeal’s entire decisions were overturned.

The Supreme Court ruled that Al-Mustafa Haruna Jokolo, the deposed emir of Gwandu, did not file the lawsuit without a court order. The apex court held that the governor of Kebbi State must receive pre-action notice, and that the deposed emir did not file a petition with the governor prior to beginning the action.

Sylvester Imanobe represented the governor of Kebbi State while Hussaini Zakariya, SAN, represented the Emir of Gwandu. Y. C. Maikyau (SAN) and Sylvester Imanobe represented the governor of Gwandu.

With this ruling, Bashir is affirmed as Gwandu’s Emir. The Supreme Court has also reinstated the status quo.