Court rejects moves by police to stop ‘Free Nnamdi KanuNow’ protest on Monday

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the bid by the Nigeria Police Force to stop the “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” protest, scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.

Police lawyers had approached the court to move an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, in a bid to legally pre-empt 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.

Sowore said the court’s decision was a victory for civil liberties.

In a statement on his X handle on Friday, 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 adjournment to Tuesday ensures that the planned Monday protest is not currently constrained by any court order.

Sowore had 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.

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