• Federal High Court refuses ex parte motion filed by Police against Sowore
• Protest to proceed on Monday, October 20, 2025
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• Case adjourned till Tuesday for full hearing
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) seeking to stop the planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest being organised by activist Omoyele Sowore, in a move seen as a major win for civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly.
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The protest, scheduled to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025, aims to draw attention to the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had directed police lawyers to file an ex parte motion against Sowore to legally restrain the protest before it reached Aso Rock Villa, the seat of power.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, declined the police’s request and instead ordered that Sowore be formally served with notice of the application. The judge adjourned the matter until Tuesday for proper hearing, emphasising the need for fair hearing before any restraining order could be granted.
Following the court’s decision, Sowore described the ruling as a victory for freedom of expression and confirmed that the protest would proceed as planned.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Friday, Sowore wrote: “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 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, to be held under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is expected to attract nationwide attention as activists demand the release of Kanu, whose prolonged detention has continued to stir political and human rights debates across the country.
