Sowore Vows To Defy Court Order As Police Warn Against #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has declared that the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest will go ahead on Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a court order banning demonstrations around major government areas in Abuja.

The protest is aimed at demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has remained in detention since his 2021 extradition from Kenya.

In a post on X, Omoyele Sowore said his team of 115 lawyers was ready to contest any such court order once officially served.

The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) maintained that the protest would be peaceful, lawful, and unstoppable.

“Our legal team will challenge any alleged court order the moment we are served on Monday. But let it be known that nothing can stop this mass movement. October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully,” he added.

Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force had warned all groups to obey the existing order restricting public gatherings near sensitive government locations, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

The warning followed a ruling by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sowore alongside four others.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the order bars Sowore and anyone acting under his direction from staging protests in or around those areas.

“The Order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs,” the statement read.

Hundeyin emphasized that while the police recognize the public’s right to peaceful protest, such activities must take place “within the limits of the law.”

He added that the Force would maintain law and order during the period and that anyone found violating the directive or inciting unrest would be prosecuted.

Reacting to the development, Sowore accused the police of hypocrisy, arguing that they had not shown the same energy in dealing with groups protesting against Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

“I’m glad to see that the Nigeria Police have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly,” he said.

“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa. In that case, it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days, opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?”

He described the situation as a clear example of “glaring hypocrisy” and “undeniable double standards” in the enforcement of citizens’ rights.

Meanwhile, Hundeyin confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police to enforce the court order strictly and deploy officers to protect key areas in the city.

The police also warned both protesters and counter-protesters against any attempt to trigger violence or disrupt public peace, assuring residents that adequate security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property.

KanyiDaily recalls that Atiku Abubakar recently backed Omoyele Sowore’s campaign calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.