₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeks to restrain the pro-democracy convener and three others from leading the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for October 20, 2025.

In an ex parte application filed under case number FHC/ABJ/2202/2025 and moved by lawyer Wisdom Madaki on behalf of the government, the Federal Government requested an order to prevent Sowore and three others from participating in, organising, or promoting the protest, which demands the unconditional release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

However, Justice M.G. Umar of Federal High Court 5 refused to grant the government’s requested ex parte injunction.

Instead, the court directed that Sowore be formally put on notice and adjourned the matter to October 21, a day after the scheduled protest.

Sowore, known for his advocacy on civil rights and activism, has been at the forefront of several campaigns calling for the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sowore recently launched a campaign demanding the release of Kanu, rallying politicians and citizens alike, and expanding the movement to grassroots locations like markets.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, announced a protest march scheduled for October 20, 2025, aimed at pressuring the Nigerian government to release Kanu. He described the protest as a “historic” march to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, starting at 7 a.m., and has been actively promoting it under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

Sowore recently met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to seek his support. Jonathan acknowledged the urgency of resolving Kanu’s case and promised to discuss it with President Bola Tinubu.

Sowore also reached out to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among others, urging them to back the protest and support efforts toward Kanu’s release. Atiku also endorsed the campaign.

In recent statements, Sowore emphasised that the campaign would extend beyond political circles into markets and public spaces, aiming to mobilise ordinary Nigerians and raise awareness at the grassroots level.

The Bola Tinubu Presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, recently criticised Sowore’s actions, accusing him of trying to incite disorder and undermine the rule of law. They reiterated that Kanu is facing treason charges and dismissed the protest as anarchistic.

CoronaVirusPro:
That’s in accordance with the law.

In as much as Nigerians have a right to protest, it should be done peacefully and organizers should mitigate against hijacking.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) believes in the civic right of Nigerians. Criticisms are healthy in governance has it opens other pathways that might not have been on the table, or considered.

Nevertheless, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) should put the Nigerian Armed Forces on high alert, and our new stockpile of lethal assault weapons be distributed across frontline personnel’s.

truthera:
Did the organizers say the protest will be done violently? You should be ashamed of yourself calling on the military to stockplie lethal assault weapons to kill unarmed peaceful protesters.

CoronaVirusPro:
You have a big problem with comprehension!

Gerhards:
You refused to answer a simple question then attacked him because you knew he was right, you are the one with comprehension problems

truthera:
Did the organizers say the protest will be done violently? You should be ashamed of yourself calling on the military to stockplie lethal assault weapons to kill unarmed peaceful protesters.

Gerhards:
You refused to answer a simple question then attacked him because you knew he was right, you are the one with comprehension problems

CoronaVirusPro:
That’s in accordance with the law.

In as much as Nigerians have a right to protest, it should be done peacefully

CoronaVirusPro:
That’s in accordance with the law.

In as much as Nigerians have a right to protest, it should be done peacefully and organizers should mitigate against hijacking.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) believes in the civic right of Nigerians. Criticisms are healthy in governance has it opens other pathways that might not have been on the table, or considered.

Nevertheless, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) should put the Nigerian Armed Forces on high alert, and our new stockpile of lethal assault weapons be distributed across frontline personnel’s.

Putindbutt:
President Tinubu, why are you this soft for God's sake?. Can anyone organize protests for terrorists in the US, UK or even Isreal?. We know how pro Palestinian protesters were arrested and tear gassed in the US, UK, Spain, Itay, France etc.
Can a US President bundled back to the US a terrorist threatening the peace of any part of his country and you dare say the President brought him back illegally?. Will such a terrorist like Kanu not be languishing at the Guantanamo bay right now?.. The US will not even waste resources bringing Kanu back from Kenya, they would have entered Kenya and nuke him right there. Mr President, this is not trying to act like a democrat. Wait for these terrorist sympathizers on the 20th, round them up and lock them up in the underground cell.

CoronaVirusPro:
That’s in accordance with the law.

In as much as Nigerians have a right to protest, it should be done peacefully and organizers should mitigate against hijacking.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) believes in the civic right of Nigerians. Criticisms are healthy in governance has it opens other pathways that might not have been on the table, or considered.

Nevertheless, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) should put the Nigerian Armed Forces on high alert, and our new stockpile of lethal assault weapons be distributed across frontline personnel’s.

ogododo:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/10/17/breaking-tinubu-govt-files-suit-stop-sowore-others-organising-october-20

Cruzmaster:
You can cry us a river 😂😂😂 the protest has come to stay

Putindbutt:
President Tinubu, why are you this soft for God's sake?. Can anyone organize protests for terrorists in the US, UK or even Isreal?. We know how pro Palestinian protesters were arrested and tear gassed in the US, UK, Spain, Itay, France etc.
Can a US President bundled back to the US a terrorist threatening the peace of any part of his country and you dare say the President brought him back illegally?. Will such a terrorist like Kanu not be languishing at the Guantanamo bay right now?.. The US will not even waste resources bringing Kanu back from Kenya, they would have entered Kenya and nuke him right there. Mr President, this is not trying to act like a democrat. Wait for these terrorist sympathizers on the 20th, round them up and lock them up in the underground cell.

casualobserver:
I have said this many times. This generation of Nigerians only protest to copy what happens abroad

The occupy protest was a copy cat protest (Occupy movement)
The Endsars protest was a copy cat protest (black lives matter)
The end bad governance protest was a copy cat protest (Kenya)

This protest is a copy cat protest their aim is to replicate what happened in Nepal banglasldesh and Madagascar. They are Anarchists and they are sponsored by foreign agents I am 100% sure!

Putindbutt:
President Tinubu, why are you this soft for God's sake?. Can anyone organize protests for terrorists in the US, UK or even Isreal?. We know how pro Palestinian protesters were arrested and tear gassed in the US, UK, Spain, Itay, France etc.
Can a US President bundled back to the US a terrorist threatening the peace of any part of his country and you dare say the President brought him back illegally?. Will such a terrorist like Kanu not be languishing at the Guantanamo bay right now?.. The US will not even waste resources bringing Kanu back from Kenya, they would have entered Kenya and nuke him right there. Mr President, this is not trying to act like a democrat. Wait for these terrorist sympathizers on the 20th, round them up and lock them up in the underground cell.