Tension Builds As Court Schedules October 29 Hearing In Sowore’s Protest Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 29, 2025, for the hearing of the suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and other organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

The case, earlier slated for Monday, was postponed after protesters besieged the court premises, disrupting proceedings and other activities.

Justice Mohammed Umar had previously granted an interim injunction restraining Sowore and his co-conveners from staging demonstrations in sensitive parts of Abuja. The order specifically prohibited protests around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the determination of the substantive motion.

The judge also abridged the response time for the defendants, moving the case—initially set for October 20—to the new date of October 29.

The ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, was filed by police counsel Wisdom Madaki on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Listed respondents include Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and “other unidentified persons.”

In a supporting affidavit, police officer Bassey Ibithan, attached to the Directorate of Legal Services, argued that the planned protest could “jeopardize national security” if allowed to proceed unchecked.

Arrests During Protest

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former AAC presidential candidate, had called for what he described as a peaceful rally demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu on October 20.

The protest, however, ended in chaos as security forces arrested several demonstrators, including Kanu’s legal counsel Aloy Ejimakor and his brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who are expected to appear before a Magistrate Court in Kuje on October 24.

In a separate incident on Thursday, Sowore was apprehended by armed policemen at the Federal High Court premises shortly after attending Kanu’s trial.

When questioned about the grounds for the arrest, one of the officers reportedly said, “The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office.”

Sowore, who demanded to see a formal invitation, eventually agreed to go with them on the condition that his lawyer accompany him. He was subsequently taken away in a police van.