A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and others behind the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest from holding demonstrations near sensitive government locations, including the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Mohammed Umar prohibited Sowore and his co-organisers from staging protests near or around the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja.
The order, which followed an ex parte application filed by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of the Federal Government, remains in effect pending the hearing of a substantive motion scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
According to a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s enrolled order, signed and dated Saturday, Justice Umar ruled:
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following areas: Aso Rock Villa or anywhere close to the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and on Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.”
The court further abridged the time within which the respondents are to respond to the motion and directed that both the order and the motion be served on them on Friday, October 17.
The suit, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, lists the following respondents:
- Omoyele Sowore
- Sahara Reporters Ltd
- Sahara Reporters Media Foundation
- Take It Back (TIB) Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria
- Other individuals or organisations acting directly or indirectly in association with the above
The protest in question was publicly announced by Sowore as a peaceful demonstration aimed at pressing the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu’s Trial Update
Meanwhile, in a separate proceeding, the court handling Kanu’s terrorism trial, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, received and reviewed the medical examination report prepared by a team from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The report, read in open court on October 16, concluded that Kanu’s health concerns were not life-threatening and affirmed that he is fit to continue standing trial.
The prosecution has already closed its case, having presented five witnesses and submitted both video and audio evidence documenting Kanu’s alleged activities as IPOB leader.
