Court gavel
Federal High Court in Abuja was brought to a standstill on Monday, as proceedings in a police-initiated suit against Omoyele Sowore and fellow organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest failed to move forward.
When reporters from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) arrived around 9:30 a.m., they found the imposing court complex—home to more than a dozen courtrooms—completely locked down. No judges were in sight, and only a handful of staff, lawyers, and private security personnel were seen within the premises.
A strong security presence was visible across several key intersections in the capital, including the Nicon Hilton junction, Gana Street, Shehu Shagari Way, and roads leading to the Presidential Villa. Armed officers, barricades, and water cannons dotted the city, while reports emerged of tear gas being fired to disperse crowds in certain areas. Pedestrian and vehicular access to several routes was restricted.
The heightened security followed an interim court order granted last Friday by Justice Mohammed Umar, who barred Sowore and others from staging protests near sensitive national landmarks—such as the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, and Eagle Square—pending further hearings.
The order was issued in response to an ex-parte motion filed by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Justice Umar directed the respondents, including Sowore and affiliated groups like Sahara Reporters Ltd., Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, to appear on Monday to argue why the interim restrictions should be lifted.
Despite the scheduled hearing, the matter—filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025—did not proceed, leaving court operations in limbo.
In a supporting affidavit, Police Legal Directorate officer Bassey Ibithan warned that allowing the planned protest to proceed could jeopardize national security.
Sowore, a publisher and two-time presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC), had announced a peaceful demonstration to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in detention facing terrorism-related charges.
Amid increasing calls for a political resolution to Kanu’s prolonged trial before Justice James Omotosho, the tension surrounding the case continues to ripple through the capital.
(NAN)
