Sowore Slams ‘Double Standards’, Vows to Challenge Court Order Barring #FreeNnamdiKanu Protests

Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to contest the Federal High Court order restricting the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protests in Abuja, insisting that the October 20 demonstration will proceed as planned.

The order, granted by Justice M.G. Umar on October 17, 2025, restrains Sowore, four others, and anyone acting on their behalf from staging protests around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Reacting via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Sowore expressed surprise that the Nigeria Police Force appeared to have shown “some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and protest.”

He, however, condemned what he described as “hypocrisy and double standards”, questioning why the police had not sought similar injunctions against those protesting against the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in recent days.

“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; 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?” Sowore wrote.
“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.

Sowore revealed that his legal team of 115 lawyers would formally challenge the court order once it is officially served on Monday.

Despite the restriction, he reaffirmed that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would hold as a peaceful and lawful march.

“October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully,” he declared.