Judicial proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja were brought to a halt on Monday as the hearing in the suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force against #FreeNnamdiKanu protesters including activist Omoyele Sowore was stalled amidst heightened security and civil unrest around the court premises.
The case, slated for hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar, was adjourned following a complete shutdown of court activities due to extensive security measures and public tension triggered by the ongoing protest.
Massive police deployment with riot control equipment, including water cannons and tear gas, was observed across several key intersections in Abuja, particularly near Gana Street, Shehu Shagari Way, and Wuse 2.
Access routes to the Federal Secretariat, National Assembly, and Asokoro District home to the Presidential Villa were sealed off.
“We couldn’t even enter the court premises. The area was completely cordoned off, and the environment was too volatile, ” lawyers told journalists.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that tear gas canisters were fired in multiple locations to disperse protesters, while several pedestrians were turned back from restricted zones.
Some passersby were reportedly caught in the crossfire of the police response.
The protest, organised to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had been the subject of an ex-parte order granted by the court last Friday.
The order, obtained by the police, barred Sowore and others from staging demonstrations near sensitive government areas, including Aso Rock, Eagle Square, Court of Appeal, and Force Headquarters.
The suit was filed by the Nigeria Police Force, through its counsel Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN).
In its affidavit, Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services, argued that allowing the protest could pose a threat to national security and public peace.
Justice Umar had directed the respondents, including Sowore, to appear on Monday to show cause why the interim order should not be made permanent.
However, with court activities grounded, the hearing could not proceed as scheduled.
“This matter is too critical to be frustrated by protests,” one court staffer said anonymously.
“We hope the court can sit soon so both sides can be heard.”
Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and social justice activist, is among those spearheading the protest under the banner #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, insisting that the continued detention of the IPOB leader violates his fundamental rights.
“This is not just about Kanu, it’s about freedom of expression and assembly.
“We have every legal right to demand his release peacefully, ” Sowore said in a statement ahead of the protest.
As at press time, the court had not issued a new date for hearing the motion on notice.
The Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies remained on high alert, with several roads still barricaded and movement restricted in central Abuja.
