The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against an attempt by the Nigeria Police Force to halt the planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, near Aso Rock Villa, the seat of Nigeria’s government.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, through police lawyers, had filed an ex parte motion seeking an immediate injunction to stop activist and protest organiser Omoyele Sowore from leading the demonstration. The police had argued that the protest could pose a threat to public order, especially given the sensitive nature of its location near the Presidential Villa.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court declined to grant the request, emphasizing that such an order could not be made without hearing from Sowore or giving him an opportunity to respond. The judge directed that the police must serve Sowore with formal notice of the application and subsequently adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.
This decision effectively clears the way for the protest to proceed as planned, at least until the court reconvenes.
In his reaction posted on his 𝕏 handle (formerly Twitter), Sowore hailed the ruling as a “victory for civil liberties”, reaffirming his commitment to go ahead with the protest in a peaceful and lawful manner. He accused the police of trying to silence dissent and suppress the public’s constitutional right to assemble.
“The IG of Police, 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, refused to grant the ex parte motion and instead instructed him to serve me notice, adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing,” Sowore wrote.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest aims to draw attention to the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose legal battle has continued for years. Kanu has remained in custody despite multiple court rulings that questioned the legality of his detention and called for due process.
Observers say the court’s refusal to block the protest is significant, as it upholds the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, even in the face of government opposition. Still, the protest’s proximity to the Presidential Villa has raised security concerns, with authorities likely to deploy heavy police presence in the area.
For now, unless a new court order emerges on Tuesday, the protest is set to go on as planned a move that could test the Nigerian government’s tolerance for civic action and the public’s demand for justice in Kanu’s case.
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