Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has vowed to proceed with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a Federal High Court order restricting demonstrations near key government locations in Abuja.
Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that his legal team of 115 lawyers would challenge any “alleged court order the moment we are served on Monday.”
He maintained that the mass movement would still hold as planned and would remain lawful, peaceful, and orderly.
Sowore stated: “Our legal team will challenge any alleged court order the moment we are served on Monday. But let it be known that nothing can stop this mass movement. October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully,” he added.
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The Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a public warning, urging all protest groups to comply with the subsisting court order that restricts gatherings near sensitive areas, including the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police explained that the directive followed an order delivered by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore and four others.
The statement read: “The Order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.”
Hundeyin insisted that the police respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly but emphasized that such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.
He warned that offenders who flout the order or incite violence would face prosecution.
Sowore, however, accused the police of “applying double standards” in enforcing protest rights across the country.
He said: “I’m glad to see that the Nigeria Police have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly.”
He then questioned why the police had not sought a similar court order against groups that have been protesting against Nnamdi Kanu’s release for several days. Sowore asked: “Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa. In that case, it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days, opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?”
He described the situation as “glaring hypocrisy” and “undeniable double standards.”
Finally, Hundeyin confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police to ensure strict enforcement of the court order and maintain visible deployments across vulnerable areas in the capital.
The Force warned that “punitive measures awaited offenders” who attempt to provoke confrontations and assured residents of adequate security.
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