The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to halt the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed police lawyers to file an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser Omoyele Sowore, aiming to stop the peaceful march set to hold near the Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court declined to grant the request, ruling that the protest cannot be restrained without hearing from the opposing side.
The judge instead ordered the police to serve Sowore with a formal notice of their application and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.
Reacting to the ruling, Sowore hailed the court’s decision as a victory for democracy and civil liberties, vowing to go ahead with the planned demonstration.
In a statement shared on his X handle, the activist wrote:
“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 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 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest is designed to draw attention to the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose legal battle with the Federal Government has continued for years.
Observers see the police move as an attempt to legally preempt a sensitive protest near the Presidential Villa, but with the court’s refusal, the Monday rally is expected to proceed unhindered—barring any last-minute intervention.
The case adjourned to Tuesday, October 21, will determine the next legal steps regarding the protest’s legitimacy and future demonstrations of this nature.
