A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction stopping human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and others from proceeding with the planned October 20 demonstration demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice M. G. Umar granted the order following an ex parte application by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force, which sought to prevent the planned protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
The ruling, delivered in suit number FHC/ABJ/2202/2025, specifically restrains Sowore, the Take It Back Movement, the #RevolutionNow group, and “persons unknown” from organising, participating in, or promoting the demonstration.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, alleged irregularities in how the order was obtained.
“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,” he wrote on his social media page.
The activist and various civil society groups had announced plans to stage the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest on Monday, demanding Kanu’s immediate release from Department of State Services custody.
Several political figures, including a former Vice President and a former Senate President, had endorsed the demonstration. Organisers had planned to march to Aso Rock Villa to press their demands.
The Federal Government argued in its application that the planned demonstration posed risks to public peace and security, prompting its request for judicial intervention.
Kanu has remained in DSS custody since June 2021, facing seven counts bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.
His legal troubles began in October 2015 when he was first arrested upon returning from the United Kingdom. He was later granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds.
The trial was disrupted later that year when soldiers invaded his home in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Abia State, an incident that resulted in 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.
The Federal High Court struck out eight of 15 charges against him in April 2022, citing lack of merit.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered his immediate release and quashed the remaining charges. However, the Supreme Court overturned that decision on December 15, 2023, allowing the Federal Government to continue prosecution on the remaining counts.
His continued detention has sparked growing public outcry and intensified calls for his release.
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security alert warning its citizens to avoid the planned protest locations.
In a statement published on its website on Friday, the embassy cautioned that the demonstration could trigger disruptions and possible violence.
“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,” the advisory stated.
“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 advised all American citizens to avoid the area and severely limit movement throughout the city on Monday, October 20.
It 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.
The embassy 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.
Whilst confirming that consular sections in Abuja and Lagos remain open, the embassy urged US citizens to stay updated through its official website.
