Court bars Sowore, others from protesting near Aso Rock over Nnamdi Kanu’s detention
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining Mr. Omoyele Sowore and other groups from staging protests around key government institutions, including the Presidential Villa, in connection with demands for the release of detained separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the ex-parte motion filed by police counsel, Mr. Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The order, issued on Friday, restricted protests in and around the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The court’s decision, documented in a certified true copy of the enrolled order signed by the court’s registrar, Mr. Kasim Muazu, was made available on Saturday in Abuja.
Contrary to some earlier media reports, the court did not adjourn the matter to October 21. Instead, it abridged the time for respondents to respond to the motion on notice, setting a new hearing date for Monday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m.
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following areas; Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and on Shehu Shagari Way pending the hearing of the motion on notice,” the order reads in part.
The order mandated that copies of the ruling and accompanying motion be served on the respondents the same day it was issued.
The ex-parte motion, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, lists five respondents: Omoyele Sowore; Sahara Reporters Ltd; Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation; the Take It Back Movement (TIB) “for the transformation of Nigeria or any form of organisation”; and “unknown persons” acting directly or indirectly in pursuit of similar objectives.
The police argued that allowing the planned protest near critical national infrastructure posed potential security concerns and could disrupt public order.
The motion was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC), had earlier announced plans to lead a peaceful demonstration on Monday demanding Kanu’s release.
The protest was part of the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign gaining momentum across parts of the country and online.
Mazi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
There have been increasing calls from various quarters, including socio-political groups and rights activists, for a political resolution to the matter.
Justice Umar adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to Monday, October 20.
