- Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to proceed with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a Federal High Court order and police warnings restricting public gatherings near key government institutions in Abuja.
- Police Warn Against Defying Court Order
- Sowore Accuses Police of Double Standards
- Heightened Security Expected
Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to proceed with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a Federal High Court order and police warnings restricting public gatherings near key government institutions in Abuja.
The protest, aimed at demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, comes amid growing tension over security and civil rights in the nation’s capital. Kanu has remained in custody since his 2021 extradition from Kenya, facing terrorism-related charges.
In a post on his official account, Sowore announced that his team of 115 lawyers was ready to challenge any court injunction once formally served, insisting that the demonstration would go on as a “peaceful, lawful, and powerful” expression of citizens’ rights.
“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. October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct,”
Sowore wrote.
Police Warn Against Defying Court Order
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin, warned all groups and individuals to obey the subsisting order by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & Others.
The court order restrains Sowore and his supporters from staging any protest within or around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
“While the Police respect the rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law,”
Hundeyin stated, adding that anyone found violating the order or inciting public disorder would face prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police to deploy officers across sensitive areas to ensure strict enforcement of the order and maintain public safety.
Sowore Accuses Police of Double Standards
In his response, Sowore accused the Police of selective enforcement, claiming that authorities had allowed counter-protesters to march freely in Abuja for days without similar restrictions.
“If a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa, why hasn’t the same Police obtained one against those opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release for three days in a row?”
Sowore asked, describing the action as “glaring hypocrisy” and “undeniable double standards.”
Heightened Security Expected
The Police have assured residents of adequate security arrangements throughout the week to prevent any breakdown of law and order, warning both protesters and counter-protesters against any act that could trigger violence or disrupt public peace.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has issued a security advisory to its citizens in Abuja, urging them to avoid large gatherings and demonstration zones during the protest period.
