#FreeNnamdiKanu: Court Activities Halted as Hearing in Police Suit Against Sowore, Protesters Stalls

Court proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja, were completely paralysed on Monday as the scheduled hearing in the police suit against Omoyele Sowore and other conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest failed to hold.

When reporters from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) arrived at about 9:30 a.m., all 13 courtrooms in the complex were locked, with no judges in sight. Only a few court staff, lawyers, litigants, and security guards were present within the premises.

Heavy security deployments were observed across key areas of the capital — including Gana Street–Shehu Shagari Way intersection near Nicon Hilton, NITEL Junction in Wuse 2, the Federal Secretariat, and routes leading to the National Assembly and Aso Villa. Armed officers, water cannons, and road barricades were in place, while tear gas was fired in certain locations to disperse people.

The development came as Justice Mohammed Umar was expected to hear the motion on notice in the case filed by the police on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) against Sowore and others.

Last Friday, the judge had issued an interim order restraining Sowore and the other respondents from holding protests near sensitive areas such as Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way, pending further hearing.

The ex parte motion — FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — was filed by police counsel Wisdom Madaki, with a supporting affidavit from Bassey Ibithan, a police officer at the Force Headquarters, who claimed the protest could threaten national security if allowed.

Justice Umar had directed the respondents to appear and show cause why the interim order should not be vacated. However, the hearing could not proceed due to the suspension of court activities amid the heavy security presence in the city.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023, had earlier mobilised for a peaceful protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho at the same court.

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