Federal High Court Bans FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Around Aso Rock, National Assembly

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim injunction restraining Omoyele Sowore and other activists from organising or participating in the planned October 20 protest calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a ruling delivered by Justice M.G. Umar, the court prohibited Sowore, the Take It Back Movement, the RevolutionNow group, and “persons unknown” from participating in, organising, or promoting the protest.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/2202/2025, resulted in a significant setback for activists planning the demonstration.

Confirming the court’s decision, Sowore, a former presidential candidate, expressed his dismay on social media, alleging that the order was granted in chambers after the judge had previously declined to approve the same request in open court. According to Sowore

"After initially declining to grant an ex parte motion to stop our planned protest in open court, the judge reportedly granted it in chambers, imposing a ban on protests at Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and the Unity Fountain in Abuja,” Sowore said in his post on 𝕏."

The protest, which gained significant momentum online, was originally organised to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS)

In its application, the Federal Government argued that the planned protest could lead to a breach of public peace and security. The government requested the court’s intervention to prevent potential unrest before the demonstration took place.