Court Issues Restraining Order on #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Near Key Abuja Sites, Sparking Backlash

 Court Issues Restraining Order on #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Near Key Abuja Sites, Sparking Backlash In a last-minute ruling that has ignited ...

 Court Issues Restraining Order on #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Near Key Abuja Sites, Sparking Backlash

In a last-minute ruling that has ignited fresh controversy over free speech and judicial transparency, a Federal High Court in Abuja has barred activists from staging the planned FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest at several high-security locations around the nation's capital. The decision, handed down on Friday, prohibits demonstrations near Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and the Unity Fountain, dealing a blow to organizers just two days before the October 20 event.

Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court issued the interim injunction in response to an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/2202/2025, argues that the gathering convened by prominent activist Omoyele Sowore and groups poses a risk to public peace and national security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The order specifically restrains Sowore, his affiliates, and "persons unknown" from organizing, participating in, or promoting any such protest at the restricted sites.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and vocal critic of the government, swiftly condemned the ruling as a "backdoor" maneuver. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he alleged that the judge had initially denied the government's motion during an open court session earlier in the day but later granted it "in chambers" without further hearing. "After initially declining to grant an ex parte motion to stop our planned protest in open court, the judge reportedly granted it in chambers, imposing a ban on protests at Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and the Unity Fountain in Abuja," Sowore wrote, vowing that the movement remains "unstoppable." His statement has amplified online outrage, with supporters accusing the judiciary of being weaponized against dissent.

At the heart of the protest is Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a self-determination movement advocating for the independence of Biafra. Kanu has been in custody since June 2021, when he was kidnapped by Nigerian government from Kenya a move his legal team and international observers have decried as an unlawful "extraordinary rendition." He faces charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitement, stemming from broadcasts on Radio Biafra that the government claims fueled unrest in the region.

Kanu's legal saga has been a rollercoaster. In October 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged and acquitted him, ruling his rendition violated local and international law, court ordered his release but Nigerian government violent this ruling citing Kanu posed national security risk .  Earlier this month, on October 16, Kanu appeared frail in court, prompting renewed pleas for medical attention and unconditional release. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called the case "purely political," noting the government's readiness to negotiate with bandits and terrorists while denying Kanu bail. 

Supporters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, have endorsed the protest, framing it as a stand against selective justice. "Kanu's detention has deepened distrust and anger," one activist posted on X, echoing sentiments that compare his treatment to the reintegration of Boko Haram "repentants." The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also deemed his continued detention unlawful. 

The government's bid to halt the protest builds on a pattern of preemptive crackdowns. On Friday morning, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun filed an emergency ex parte motion seeking a blanket ban, citing fears of violence near the Presidential Villa. Justice Umar initially rejected it in open court, insisting on serving notice to organizers for a full hearing a move Sowore hailed as a "victory for civil liberties." The case was adjourned to Tuesday, October 21, leaving Monday's rally in legal limbo

Yet, reports emerged later that afternoon of the chambers order, which some outlets described as a "limited-purpose" restriction rather than a total shutdown. Conflicting narratives flooded social media: While pro-government voices celebrated the ban as a safeguard against chaos, activists like Sowore insisted no formal service of the order had been made, urging participants to proceed peacefully as planned. 

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja amplified concerns with a security alert on Friday, advising American citizens to steer clear of protest zones, including the Central Business District and Eagle Square, due to risks of violence and disruptions. "Exercise caution, monitor local news, and maintain a low profile," the advisory read, underscoring the event's international ripple effects.

As Nigeria grapples with economic woes and insecurity, the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign taps into deeper frustrations over ethnic tensions, judicial delays, and perceived double standards in prosecuting self-determination versus banditry. Kanu's supporters argue his release could de-escalate southeastern unrest, while detractors, including presidential aide Temitope Ajayi, decry it as rewarding "anarchists" who have devastated communities. 

With the protest's fate hanging in the balance, Tuesday's hearing could either defuse or inflame the situation. For now, Sowore's call echoes across X: "The movement is unstoppable." As one user put it, "Peace cannot coexist with injustice." Whether Abuja's streets will test that resolve remains to be seen.

Family Writers Press International