The hearing in the police case against Omoyele Sowore and other organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration was postponed after proceedings were delayed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Although there were a few court employees, lawyers, litigants, and private security officers there, no judge was visible on the court grounds.
Security was strongly deployed in important sites such as the crossroads of Gana Street and Shehu Shagari Way near the Nicon Hilton Hotel, the NITEL Junction at Wuse 2, the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly Junction, and the roads leading to Asokoro and the Presidential Villa.
Authorities restricted car movement and prohibited pedestrians from going through the roped areas, while police used tear gas in several places.
Justice Mohammed Umar had on Friday scheduled today’s sitting for the respondents in the ex-parte motion filed by the police—representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN)—to explain why the interim order should not be overturned.
The judge had earlier restrained Mr Sowore and others from staging protests in sensitive areas of Abuja, including Aso Rock Villa, to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He also prohibited demonstrations near the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
Justice Umar granted the ex-parte motion presented by police counsel Wisdom Madaki on behalf of the FRN and ordered that the respondents file their responses by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, 20 October 2025.
He then adjourned the case to the same date for the hearing of the motion on notice.
In an affidavit supporting the police application, Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja, stated that refusing the order could endanger national security.
Mr Sowore had planned to organise the protest to demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release.