The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a request by the Nigeria Police Force to stop the planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest, effectively clearing the way for the demonstration to proceed as scheduled on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The police, acting on the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had filed an ex parte motion seeking an interim order to restrain activist Omoyele Sowore and other organisers from holding the protest near the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
However, Justice Umar, presiding over the matter, declined to grant the motion, ruling that the police must first serve Sowore with formal notice before any order could be considered.
The court adjourned the case to Tuesday for a proper hearing, allowing the scheduled protest to go ahead in the meantime.
The ruling means there is currently no legal restriction preventing the demonstration, which is aimed at demanding the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Reacting to the court’s decision, Sowore hailed the ruling as a victory for civil rights and democratic expression.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, he wrote: “The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, sent lawyers to sue me to stop the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for the Aso Rock Villa on Monday. But Justice Umar of the Federal High Court refused to grant their ex parte motion, ordering that I be served and adjourning the matter till Tuesday for hearing.”
The police motion was viewed by many observers as a preemptive legal maneuver to block a politically sensitive protest in close proximity to the Presidential Villa.
With the court’s decision, the Monday protest is expected to proceed, setting the stage for a possible tense but lawful standoff between demonstrators and security agencies.
The outcome of Tuesday’s adjourned hearing will determine whether further legal restrictions will be imposed on future demonstrations.
Earlier, Sowore had described the planned march as a “historic and peaceful rally” to demand justice and the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whose prolonged detention has continued to draw national and international concern.
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