Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
Speaking in response to what he described as a deliberate misinformation campaign, Sowore stated that the court did not grant any order restricting citizens from engaging in peaceful demonstrations, contrary to claims circulated by police legal representatives and some media outlets.
According to Sowore, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court declined to issue the ex parte motion filed by the Nigeria Police Force, which sought to stop the nationwide protest calling for the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“There is no valid court order stopping the protest. What the police obtained is a questionable document secured in chambers, not in open court and it hasn’t even been served on any individual or group,” he clarified.
The said document reportedly requests that protest activities be barred from key government locations such as Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja.
However, Sowore insists that this is not a blanket ban on the protest itself.
He accused the authorities of weaponizing disinformation to instill fear and confusion among potential participants.
“This is a psychological operation by the state to discourage civic action. But Nigerians are not fooled,” Sowore said.
“The protest will go on as planned. October 20 is sacrosanct.”
Organizers of the protest have vowed to proceed with the demonstration across major cities in Nigeria, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has remained in custody despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.
Sowore emphasized that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right, warning security agencies not to provoke violence by attempting to suppress lawful protests.
“The right to protest is not subject to police approval. We will be out on the streets, peacefully and boldly, because silence is no longer an option.”
