Federal High Court in Abuja has refused the Nigeria Police Force’s bid to stop the ‘Free Nnamdi KanuNow’ protest, allowing it to proceed as scheduled on Monday, October 20.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched police lawyers to court to move an ex-parte motion against an activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, in a bid to legally preempt the planned demonstration slated for Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, declined to grant the motion, which would have immediately restrained the protest from taking place without hearing the opposing side.
The judge instead, instructed the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper, contested hearing.
Reacting to the judicial decision, the protest convener described the court’s decision as a victory for civil liberties.
In a statement issued on his X handle Friday, following the ruling, Sowore said, “Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.
“However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex-parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourned the case until Tuesday for proper hearing.”
The demonstration, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is intended to draw attention to the prolonged detention and legal fate of Kanu.
The police action was seen as an attempt to leverage the court to prevent a potentially sensitive gathering near the seat of power.
The adjournment ensures that the planned Monday protest is not currently constrained by a court order, setting the stage for a potential high-profile confrontation between protesters and security agencies around the Presidential Villa.
The outcome of the adjourned hearing on Tuesday will determine the next legal step regarding the protest’s legality.
It would be recalled that Sowore announced October 20 as the date for a protest to demand the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore made this known on his X handle.
According to him, the protest would be a “historic” march to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally.”
