The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a request by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) seeking to stop the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, thereby clearing the way for the demonstration to proceed on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had through police lawyers filed an ex parte motion against activist and protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, in an attempt to legally restrain the planned march to Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court declined to grant the motion, ruling that the police must first serve Sowore with notice of the application before any action could be taken. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Tuesday for a proper hearing where both parties would be heard.
In his reaction, Sowore hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and civil liberties. Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, he said:
“The IGP dispatched police lawyers to sue me in an effort to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday. However, Justice Umar refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing that I be served notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.”
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest aims to draw renewed attention to the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to demand his immediate and unconditional release.
Legal observers noted that the police application appeared to be an attempt to use the courts to preempt a politically sensitive demonstration near the seat of power.
With the adjournment, there is no legal restraint currently preventing Monday’s protest, setting the stage for what could be a high-tension standoff between demonstrators and security forces around the Presidential Villa.
The court’s decision on Tuesday will determine whether the protest can continue lawfully or face new legal challenges.
Earlier, Sowore had announced that the October 20 march would be a “historic and peaceful demonstration” to press for justice and respect for fundamental rights in Nigeria.
