The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to stop the planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had filed an ex parte motion through police counsel to restrain activist and protest convener Omoyele Sowore from proceeding with the planned demonstration near the Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar refused to grant the police request, ruling that the matter must follow due process. The court instead directed that Sowore be formally served with notice of the application and adjourned the case to Tuesday for a full hearing.
This ruling effectively allows the protest to go ahead as planned on Monday, pending further legal proceedings.
Reacting to the development, Sowore described the court’s decision as a “victory for civil liberties,” reaffirming that the demonstration would proceed as scheduled.
“The IGP sent police lawyers to sue me in an effort to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday,” Sowore said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“However, the judge refused to grant the ex parte motion, ordering them to serve me notice instead and adjourning the case to Tuesday for a proper hearing.”
The planned protest, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, aims to draw attention to the continued detention and legal ordeal of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The police motion was widely viewed as an attempt to preempt a politically sensitive demonstration near the seat of power. With the adjournment, no court order currently restrains the gathering, setting the stage for what could be a tense standoff between protesters and security forces on Monday.
The court’s decision on Tuesday is expected to determine the next legal steps regarding the protest’s status and the broader implications for freedom of assembly in Nigeria.