The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to October
29, 2025, the hearing of a suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force against
activist Omoyele Sowore and other organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
The case, initially scheduled for hearing on Monday,
could not proceed due to protests outside the court premises, which disrupted
proceedings and grounded activities at the Federal High Court complex.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Justice
Mohammed Umar had earlier issued an interim order restraining Sowore and others
from staging demonstrations in sensitive parts of Abuja, including the Aso Rock
Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square,
and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the determination of the substantive motion.
The interim order stemmed from an ex-parte motion
filed by police counsel Wisdom Madaki, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025,
listing Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as
the first to third respondents. Also joined in the suit are the Take It Back
Movement (TIB) and other unnamed organisations linked to the protest.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Bassey Ibithan,
a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services at Force
Headquarters, warned that the protests could “threaten national security” if
not restrained.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former AAC
presidential candidate, had called for a peaceful rally on October 20 to demand
the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB).
During the protest, several demonstrators, including
Kanu’s counsel Aloy Ejimakor, were arrested and are expected to be arraigned on
October 24 before a Kuje Magistrate Court.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Sowore was reportedly arrested
by armed police officers within the Federal High Court premises shortly after
appearing in solidarity with Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said the officers approached him and
insisted he follow them to the FCT Police Command. When he asked for the reason
behind his arrest, one of the officers replied:
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you
to the office.”
Sowore reportedly agreed to go with the officers on
the condition that his lawyer accompany him before being taken away in a police
van.
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