The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest but barred demonstrators from marching near sensitive national institutions, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, the Force Headquarters, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, October 17, 2025, by Justice M.G. Umar, followed a motion ex parte filed by the Nigeria Police Force under Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025.
The case, titled Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Unknown Persons, sought to restrict the protest from accessing key government zones in the Federal Capital Territory.
In an affidavit deposed to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services at the Force Headquarters, the government argued that allowing protesters near restricted areas could threaten national security.
After hearing submissions from government counsel Wisdom Madaki, Esq., and Joseph Anzaku, Esq., Justice Umar granted the interim restriction order but upheld citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly, provided protesters avoid the prohibited areas.
The court also directed that Omoyele Sowore and other respondents be served immediately and appear on Monday, October 20, 2025, to respond to the government’s motion.
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following areas: Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way,” the order read in part.
The case was adjourned to October 20, 2025, for the hearing of the substantive motion.
Meanwhile, police authorities have issued a nationwide security alert ahead of the protest, directing all commands to place tactical teams on standby and submit hourly situation reports.
Earlier reports indicated that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had sought to halt the demonstration through an ex parte motion. However, Justice Umar declined to stop the protest outright, insisting that the respondents must first be served and heard.
Reacting to the development, Sowore described the ruling as “a triumph for civil rights,” affirming that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as planned on Monday, October 20, as a peaceful demand for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in line with existing court judgments.
With the adjournment, the Monday protest remains unconstrained by any full legal prohibition, setting the stage for possible tension between demonstrators and security operatives in Abuja.
