TENSIONS are building in the Federal Capital Territory as human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to proceed with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a Federal High Court order restraining demonstrations near key government institutions in Abuja.
The protest, organized by pro-democracy and human rights groups, seeks the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his 2021 extradition from Kenya. Kanu faces charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) seen by News Point Nigeria, Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections—dismissed reports of the court injunction as an attempt to suppress legitimate dissent.
He revealed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, would immediately challenge the order if served, insisting that the protest would go ahead “peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”
“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,” Sowore wrote.
“October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), however, has warned that any attempt to defy the subsisting order will attract “firm and lawful consequences.”
According to a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, the directive followed an order granted by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others.
“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 citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly, such rights must be exercised “responsibly and within the limits of the law.”
He added that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the FCT Commissioner of Police to ensure strict enforcement of the court order and maintain visible deployments across sensitive government zones, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
“The Force will ensure the preservation of public peace and security. Offenders who flout the order or incite violence will face immediate prosecution,” Hundeyin warned.
Reacting to the police position, Sowore accused the authorities of “glaring hypocrisy” and “double standards” in handling protest rights.
He alleged that while pro-Kanu protesters were being targeted, groups opposing Kanu’s release had been allowed to stage demonstrations for several days without interference.
“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?” Sowore queried.
He added that the situation exposes “the selective nature of law enforcement” and reflects “the government’s discomfort with dissenting voices.”
The police, meanwhile, have appealed to residents of Abuja to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place to protect lives and property during the protest period.