Justice M. J. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the Nigeria Police Force permission to stop the “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” protest billed for Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had gone to the court seeking an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, to legally preempt the planned demonstration fixed for the Aso Rock Villa.
The Judge rather ordered the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper, contested hearing.
Sowore described the court’s ruling as a victory for civil liberties and doubled down on the scheduled protest.
He said on his X handle on Friday following the ruling, that the “IG of PoliceNG Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.
“However, the judge, Justice Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.”
