A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim injunction restraining human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and others from organising or participating in the planned October 20 protest calling for the release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force, seeking to prevent the planned demonstration in the Federal Capital Territory.
This was as the United States cautioned its citizens to stay away from the protest locations in the Federal Capital Territory
In the ruling delivered by Justice M. G. Umar, the court barred Sowore, the Take It Back Movement, the #RevolutionNow group, and “persons unknown” from participating in, organising, or promoting the protest.
The suit was marked FHC/ABJ/2202/2025.
Confirming the development, Sowore, a former presidential candidate, alleged that the order was issued in chambers after the judge had earlier declined to grant the same request in open court.
“After initially declining to grant an ex parte motion to stop our planned protest in open court, the judge reportedly granted it in chambers, imposing a ban on protests at Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and the Unity Fountain in Abuja,” Sowore said in a post on his social media page.
The activist and other civil society groups had announced plans to stage a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest on Monday, October 20, demanding Kanu’s immediate release from the custody of the Department of State Services.
The protest, which had gained significant traction online, was endorsed by several political figures, including a former Vice President and a former Senate President.
Organisers had vowed to march to the Aso Rock Villa, the seat of presidential power, to press home their demands.
The Federal Government, however, argued in its application that the planned demonstration could breach public peace and security, urging the court to intervene preemptively.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021, facing a seven-count bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.
He was first arrested in October 2015 upon his return from the United Kingdom and later released on bail in April 2017 on health grounds.
His trial was disrupted later that year when soldiers invaded his home in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Abia State, leading to the deaths of some of his followers.
Kanu subsequently fled the country but was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria.
In April 2022, the Federal High Court struck out eight of the 15 charges against him, citing a lack of merit.
Later, in October 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered his immediate release and quashed the remaining charges.
However, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, overturned that decision, allowing the Federal Government to continue his trial on the remaining counts.
Kanu’s continued detention has sparked growing public outcry and renewed calls for his release, culminating in the now-halted October 20 protest.
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security alert to its citizens ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.
According to a statement published on its website on Friday, the US Embassy warned that the protest could lead to disruptions and possible violence, warning its citizens to steer clear of the protest zones and limit their movement within the city.
“The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens that the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now protest has called for peaceful demonstrations on Monday, October 20, 2025, in Abuja.
“There may be roadblocks, traffic congestion, and confrontations between police and protesters that could turn violent around Eagle Square and the Central Business District.
“The embassy advises all US citizens to avoid this area and to severely limit all movement throughout the city on Monday, October 20,” the advisory read in part.
The embassy further urged residents to take additional safety measures, recommending that children stay home from school and that domestic staff commuting from outside Abuja remain indoors.
It also advised Americans in Nigeria to avoid protest areas and large gatherings, exercise caution, monitor local news, and maintain a low profile in public spaces such as malls, cinemas, and places of worship.
While confirming that the consular sections in Abuja and Lagos remain open, the embassy urged US citizens to stay updated through its official website, https://ng.usembassy.gov.
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