BREAKING: Tinubu Govt Secretly Obtains Court Order Barring Sowore, Others From Staging #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest Near Aso Villa, Others

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secretly secured a restraining order against human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, and others planning the October 20, 2025, #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

This comes after the court initially refused to grant its ex parte request.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court 5, Abuja, had declined to grant an ex parte injunction filed by government lawyer Wisdom Madaki, who represented the police and the Federal Government. 

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/2202/2025, sought to bar Sowore, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, RevolutionNow, and “persons unknown” from participating in, organising, or promoting the planned protest demanding the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

At that earlier sitting, Justice Umar refused to issue the injunction without hearing from the defendants. Instead, he directed that Sowore and others be placed on notice and adjourned the matter to October 21, a day after the scheduled protest.

However, in a dramatic twist on Friday, fresh information obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that the presiding judge later granted the order privately after summoning the government’s counsel into his chambers. 

“The order was granted… Wisdom just came out of his chambers now,” a source familiar with the proceedings confirmed.

“The judge later took Wisdom into the chambers and granted it privately.”

According to the new development, the court order now restrains Sowore, the Take It Back Movement, RevolutionNow, and other unidentified persons from holding or mobilising any protest around key locations in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the National Assembly complex, the Court of Appeal, and the Unity Fountain.

The Federal Government’s decision to seek a last-minute court order comes amid growing public attention and mobilisation ahead of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest slated for Sunday, October 20.

Omoyele Sowore and other organisers had maintained that the planned protest would be peaceful and aimed at demanding justice and the immediate release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, whose prolonged incarceration continues to stir national and international concern.

Background 

Sowore, known for his advocacy on civil rights and activism, has been at the forefront of several campaigns calling for the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore recently launched a campaign demanding the release of Kanu, rallying politicians and citizens alike, and expanding the movement to grassroots locations like markets.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, announced a protest march scheduled for October 20, 2025, aimed at pressuring the Nigerian government to release Kanu. He described the protest as a “historic” march to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, starting at 7 a.m., and has been actively promoting it under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

Sowore recently met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to seek his support. Jonathan acknowledged the urgency of resolving Kanu’s case and promised to discuss it with President Bola Tinubu.

Sowore also reached out to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among others, urging them to back the protest and support efforts toward Kanu’s release. Atiku also endorsed the campaign.

In recent statements, Sowore emphasised that the campaign would extend beyond political circles into markets and public spaces, aiming to mobilise ordinary Nigerians and raise awareness at the grassroots level.

The Bola Tinubu Presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, recently criticised Sowore’s actions, accusing him of trying to incite disorder and undermine the rule of law. They reiterated that Kanu is facing treason charges and dismissed the protest as anarchistic.