#FreeNnamdiKanu: Protesters Defy Court Order, Plan March to Aso Villa

Tension is mounting in Abuja as organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest insist on proceeding with their planned march to the Presidential Villa despite a court injunction and warnings from security agencies.

The protest, scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, is aimed at demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in custody on charges including terrorism, treason, and incitement.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, had issued an interim order on Friday restraining the protesters from converging near key national sites such as the Villa, the National Assembly, the Force Headquarters, and Eagle Square. The order followed an ex parte motion by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of the Federal Government.

However, the organisers — led by Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate — remain defiant. Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, confirmed that the protest would go ahead in Abuja and across the South-East, insisting that the group’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly cannot be suspended.

“Marching peacefully anywhere in Nigeria is our constitutional right. Nothing can discourage us,” Adenola said. “We will not allow this illegal attempt to silence citizens who are simply demanding justice.”

Government and Security Reactions
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the timing of the rally, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. Security agencies have warned against violence, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force deploying personnel to prevent disruptions.

FCT NSCDC Commandant Olusola Odumosu cautioned protesters against vandalism or theft, warning that correctional centres and other critical infrastructure would be off-limits.

“Correctional centres are red zones. Any attempt to breach them will be treated as a serious security threat,” NSCDC spokesman Umar Abubakar stated.

Legal and Political Reactions
While the organisers claim they have not been formally served with the court order, their legal counsel Maxwell Opara said the march remains a legitimate means of expressing citizens’ grievances.

Within Kanu’s legal circle, opinions are divided. Senior Advocate Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) maintains that his focus remains on courtroom proceedings, while Aloy Ejimakor, another lawyer representing Kanu, has publicly endorsed and joined the protest.

“It is the civic and constitutional right of Nigerians to protest,” Ejimakor affirmed.

Opposition Figures Weigh In
The protest has gained broad political support, notably from opposition leaders including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Both have called for dialogue rather than detention, describing Kanu’s continued incarceration as counterproductive.

Peter Obi reiterated his stance on negotiation as a means to resolve separatist issues, saying,

“There was no need for Kanu’s arrest in the first place. I believe in dialogue and engagement, not suppression.”

Leaders of the Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, and Obidient Movement echoed similar sentiments, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right and condemning what they termed “double standards” by the government for negotiating with armed bandits while detaining political agitators.

Background
Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and released on bail in 2017, after which he fled Nigeria. He was re-arrested in 2021 under controversial circumstances in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria. Since then, his detention has sparked global debates over human rights, due process, and political freedom.

As protesters prepare to take to the streets, the situation in the capital remains tense, with security agencies on high alert and both sides standing firm on their positions.