Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has pledged to challenge the court order that prohibits the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests in Abuja.
Sowore made this declaration in a statement on his verified X handle on Saturday, asserting that the planned October 20 demonstration would proceed as scheduled.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier restrained protesters and other groups from organising demonstrations in specific parts of the city.
The court, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar, issued the order on October 17, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others.
The ruling prohibits the respondents and any persons or groups acting on their behalf from protesting within or around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
In addition, the Nigeria Police warned organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest against holding demonstrations within the Presidential Villa and other restricted areas.
Reacting to this, Sowore said he was glad that the Nigeria Police Force appeared to have demonstrated some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and protest.
He questioned why the police had not obtained a similar court order against those who, according to him, had been protesting for three consecutive days against the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa, 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?
“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he said.
The publisher of Sahara Reporters disclosed that his legal team, consisting of 115 lawyers, would contest the alleged court order once they are officially served on Monday.
However, he maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would go ahead as a peaceful and lawful demonstration.
