The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained an activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and others from protesting in some areas, in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa.
The new order was coming against the backdrop of a proposed protest to call for the release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu tagged: #Free Kanu slated for Monday.
The court also barred the protesters from anywhere close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The new order, which came via an ex-parte motion was moved by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and was granted by Justice Mohammed Umar.
The new development was contrary to the earlier media reports in circulation.
The certified true copy of the enrolled order, signed by the court Registrar, Mr Kasim Muazu, and the presiding judge, Justice Umar, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The judge also made an order of abridgement of time “within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause the ex-parte order to be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.”
This was also contrary to some media reports that Justice Umar adjourned the matter until Oct. 21 for the parties to appear in court.
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following Areas; Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and on Shehu Shagari way pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
“The court hereby abridged the time within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause this ex-parte order to be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.
“The order of this court together with the motion on notice be served on the respondents today, Friday, the 17th day of October, 2025,” the judge ordered.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 20 for hearing of the motion on notice.
Sowore, presidential candidate of African Action Congress (ACC), had begun mobilisation for what he called a planned peaceful protest against the detention of Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
