The Federal Government has secured a covert restraining order from the Federal High Court in Abuja against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and other organisers of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for October 20, 2025.
The development comes after the same court earlier refused to grant an ex parte motion filed by government counsel, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government.
According to information obtained on Friday, Justice M.G. Umar of Federal High Court 5, Abuja, later issued the order privately after summoning the government’s lawyer into his chambers.
A source familiar with the proceedings disclosed that the judge “granted the order privately after meeting the government’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, in chambers. He came out holding the signed order,” confirming the Federal Government’s successful bid to halt the demonstration.
The order restrains Sowore, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, RevolutionNow, and “persons unknown” from staging or mobilising any form of protest at major government locations within Abuja. These include the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the National Assembly complex, the Court of Appeal, and the Unity Fountain.
The Federal Government’s move follows growing mobilisation for the October 20 march, which Sowore and his allies had described as a peaceful call for justice and the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Earlier reports indicated that Justice Umar initially refused to issue the injunction without hearing from the defendants, instead directing that they be served notice and adjourning the case until October 21, a day after the scheduled protest.
However, the sudden change in judicial direction has raised questions among observers, as the order now effectively blocks the activists from carrying out their planned demonstration.
Sowore, a long-time pro-democracy campaigner, has led several peaceful protests in recent years calling for good governance and the protection of civil liberties. He has maintained that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign is non-violent and aimed at ensuring respect for human rights.
Speaking during a recent mobilisation drive, Sowore stated that the march would be “a historic and peaceful call for justice, not an act of confrontation. Nigerians must rise to demand fairness and freedom for all.”
He has also engaged key political figures — including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — seeking support for Kanu’s release. Both men reportedly expressed concern over the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader.
Meanwhile, the Presidency, through its spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the planned protest, accusing Sowore of attempting to “incite disorder and undermine the rule of law.”
The Federal Government maintains that Nnamdi Kanu faces treason-related charges, insisting that his detention is lawful and that any public agitation for his release outside judicial channels is “anarchic and unnecessary.”
