Free Nnamdi Kanu: More reactions trail Abuja protest
The Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest’, convened by a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore went on as scheduled on Monday across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Sowore, who had mobilized many Nigerians from across the country to join the demonstration, planned that protesters would march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand for Kanu’s release.
But Justice M.G. Umar, issued an order on October 17, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others, restraining the protesters and other groups from staging any form of demonstrations for Kanu’s release in certain areas within the FCT.
The ruling barred the respondents and any individuals or groups acting on their behalf from protesting within and around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
In line with Justice Umar’s ruling on the protest, men of the Nigeria Police Force barricaded all roads leading to the areas mentioned by the ruling, thereby, frustrating Sowore and his fellow protesters from ensuring that their plans materialized.
While barricading the roads, the police also shot teargas canisters to scare commuters and possible protesters from using the roads.
Despite attempts by security operatives to stifle the protesters from carrying out their programme, Sowore and the demonstrators moved to other areas like Utako and Apo areas of Abuja where they protested.
In the course of the protest, the police arrested and detained Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel; his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and other protesters at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command CID.
SOCIETY WATCH reports that they have now been charged to court and remanded in Kuje Prison by a magistrate court.
However, reactions have been pouring in after the protest, with Nigerians expressing divergent views.
Protest not in Kanu’s interest, rule of law and counter-productive – Ex-Arewa Forum scribe, Anthony Sani
A former Secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Anthony Sani, faulted the protest, stressing that it’s not in the interest of the rule of law. He described it as counter-productive.
