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Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to challenge the court order barring the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests in Abuja.
Sowore made this vow in a statement on his verified X handle on Saturday, insisting that the planned October 20 demonstration will go on as scheduled.
DAILY POST reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja had restrained protesters and other groups from staging demonstrations in certain 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 bars the respondents and any individuals or groups acting on their behalf from protesting within and around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Also, the Nigeria Police warned organizers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest against staging a demonstration within the Presidential Villa and other locations.
Reacting, Sowore said he was pleased that the Nigeria Police Force appeared to have shown some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and protest.
He questioned why the police had not sought 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 revealed that his legal team, made up of 115 lawyers, would challenge the alleged court order once they are formally served on Monday.
He, however, maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as a peaceful and lawful march.
Nnamdi Kanu: Sowore vows to challenge court order barring protests
