₦airaland Forum

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused the Nigeria Police Force’s bid to stop the “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” protest, allowing it to proceed as scheduled on Monday, October 20, 2025.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched police lawyers to the court to move an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, in a bid to legally preempt the planned demonstration slated for the Aso Rock Villa.

However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, declined to grant the motion, which would have immediately restrained the protest from taking place without hearing the opposing side.

The Judge instead instructed the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper, contested hearing.

Reacting to the judicial decision, the protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, affirmed the court’s decision as a victory for civil liberties and doubled down on the scheduled protest.

In a statement issued on his X handle on Friday following the ruling, Sowore said, “IG of PoliceNG Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.

“However, the judge, Justice Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.”

The demonstration, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is intended to draw attention to the prolonged detention and legal fate of Kanu.

The police action was seen as an attempt to leverage the courts to prevent a potentially sensitive gathering near the seat of Nigerian power.

The adjournment to Tuesday ensures that the planned Monday protest is not currently constrained by a court order, setting the stage for a potential high-profile confrontation between protesters and security agencies around the Presidential Villa.

The outcome of the adjourned hearing on Tuesday will determine the next legal steps regarding the protest’s legality.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Sowore announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to demand the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore made this known on his X handle.

According to him, the protest would be a “historic” march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of the IPOB leader…”

Gentledove2001:
Whats the aim of this so called free Nnamdi kanu protest? This people killed Dora akuyili husband because he went to pick an aware for his late wife in UNN. They have killed many people in south east and you want government to release their leader. Imagine if Ikpa was convicted in Nigeria?
Federal government should close his case and send the abino to prison.

Orlandoo:
The protest must go on whether they like it or not.

malali:
On many issues, I agree with you, but on this one, I am choosing to sit it out. My reason is simple: Nnamdi Kanu’s actions in the Southeast have jeopardized lives and destroyed property, turning entire communities into chaos.

The protests and agitations he spearheaded haven’t produced any tangible or achievable objective, other than normalizing unrest and forcing everyone to tolerate disorder.

He abused everyone indiscriminately, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Muslims, Christians,Igbos( those that didnt subscribe to his delusions) no one was spared from his provocations. And while calls for his release may appeal to principles of civil liberties, it’s impossible to ignore the human and economic toll his movement has inflicted on the region.

So while I support lawful dissent in general, in this case, the history of destruction makes it hard to stand behind the current protest.

If you doubt listen to how he took a shot at Christians on this Facebook link attached. Nnamdi kanu was out to just cause chaos. The worst move Tinubu can make is to Free Nnamdi Kanu.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/805445365748248

PDPdestroyer:
Is the judiciary still compromised?

PDPdestroyer:
Is the judiciary still compromised?