Despite a Federal High Court’s ban on demonstrations near important government locations in Abuja, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has vowed to carry out the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, has been in custody since his extradition from Kenya in 2021, and is facing terrorism charges, and the protest is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, according to an X post, stated that his 115 legal representatives would challenge any alleged court order that had been served and that the protest would continue to be peaceful, legal, and orderly.
The moment we are served on Monday, our legal team will challenge any alleged court order. Let’s be clear, however, that nothing can stop this mass movement.
The sacrosanctity of “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.” We march peacefully, legally, and decisively, he continued.
Prior to this, the Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a warning to all protest groups that were required to follow a persistent court order that forbids gatherings close to sensitive locations, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Read more about the U.S. Embassy’s security alert prior to the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore and four others were ordered by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, according to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
The statement read, “The Order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting on their instructions from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.”
Hundeyin argued that while the police upheld citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, they had to “use them responsibly and within the law’s parameters.”
He stated that the Force would maintain public order and security and that it would prosecute those who violated the law or used incitement.
“Double Standards”
Sowore claimed that when enforcing protest rights across the country, the police used double standards.
He expressed his satisfaction that the Nigerian Police have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to assembly.
He questioned why the same police force had not sought a similar court order for several days prior to requesting a similar ruling against groups that had protested Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“Suppose a court order exists to halt protests in the Aso Rock Villa neighborhood. In that situation, it becomes clear why the same police force did not issue a similar order for those who freely protested for three days in a row against Nnamdi Kanu’s release. “Sowed asked,”
He described the situation as “glaring hypocrisy” and “undeniable double standards.”
Hundeyin claimed that the FCT Commissioner of Police has been given instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure strict enforcement of the court order and maintain visible deployments across the capital’s troubled areas.
The Force warned against hostile public order-related protests or counterprotesters, citing the need for punitive measures for offenders.
Source: Channels TV
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